A woman who has lived in the United States virtually her entire life is now in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after what began as a routine traffic stop in Alabama, her family says.
Thirty-year-old Sonia Parris, who was brought to the U.S. from Mexico when she was just 2 months old, was taken into custody after being arrested in Clay County on November 17, her ex-husband, 34-year-old Dalton Parris, told Newsweek. He said Sonia’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status had expired in recent years, leaving her without valid identification.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told Newsweek that ICE took Sonia into custody after local authorities arrested her on charges that included possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without a valid license. She was also arrested by St. Clair County deputies on a failure-to-appear warrant tied to an expired license, according to local outlet Al.com.
Dalton said Sonia was initially stopped for speeding and then arrested based on a warrant for not appearing in court over an earlier expired license and car tag—issues he believes trace back to her lapsed DACA paperwork.
“I believe that violation was for an expired license and car tag, which were due to lapsed DACA documentation,” he said.
DACA offers certain young adults, often called “Dreamers,” temporary protection from deportation and eligibility for work authorization. Due to ongoing federal court rulings, the government is currently not accepting new DACA applications, though existing recipients can continue to apply for renewals.
“Sonia Corona is her current legal name after our divorce, but her most recent documentation still shows Sonia Parris from our marriage,” Dalton explained.
Under the Trump administration, immigration authorities have prioritized detaining and deporting migrants without legal status who have criminal histories as part of a broader push for mass removals. That effort has been bolstered by increased ICE and Border Patrol funding following passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which has significantly expanded resources for deportations.
Sonia was booked into the St. Clair County Jail on November 17. The next day, family members paid her fees and a $50 bond. But when they arrived to pick her up, Dalton said they were told ICE had placed a hold on her and would assume custody within 48 hours.
According to her family, Sonia was moved through at least three facilities in Alabama before being transferred to Louisiana. Dalton says that since ICE took over, staying in contact with her has been incredibly difficult.
Sonia is currently being held at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center, according to the ICE detainee locator.
Dalton said she has lived in the U.S. since 1995, when she arrived as a 2-month-old baby.
He described the emotional fallout on those closest to her. “Her family is devastated. Just completely destroyed,” he said, adding that their 12-year-old son, a U.S. citizen, has been hit particularly hard.
“I am heartbroken and devastated for her, her family, and her children. My son is my world, and it breaks me to see him so upset,” Dalton said.
Their son, Taylor Parris, spoke to Newsweek about how the detention has affected him. “I will be 13 on November 28th. This is my first birthday without my mama. It is really tough because it is also Thanksgiving this week, and it is hard to feel excited about it,” he said.
“It feels like there is fog in my head, and the only thing I can see through the fog is my mom being in a cell. I don’t know what it looks like inside the facility, but in my head, she is crying and scared behind bars.”
Taylor said he has only been able to talk to his mother a few times since she was detained. “She checks on me and asks if I am okay, and tells me she loves me. She told me she is grateful for everyone sharing her story, and she is scared.”
The stress has taken a toll on his schooling, he added. “I couldn’t stop crying, and I did not get a lot of sleep the first night when he told me. I love school but I have not thought about it since I found out about my mom.”
Dalton said that the day after learning about the detention, Taylor initially refused to eat. He added that Sonia’s relatives are now working to secure legal representation before her immigration hearing, scheduled for December 16.
