EL PASO, Texas — After 60 days in federal detention, immigrant activist and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient Xochitl Santiago has been released from a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in El Paso, following a judge’s order earlier this week. What You Need To Know Santiago’s family and supporters celebrated her release during a virtual press conference, calling the moment both emotional and a reminder of the ongoing challenges facing young immigrants protected under the DACA program Santiago was detained on Aug. 3 at the El Paso International Airport by Border Patrol agents as she attempted to board a domestic flight. Immigration authorities argued a 2020 arrest justified her detention and began proceedings to deport her Advocates say the judge's ruling underscores the limits on the federal government’s ability to target DACA recipients Groups like United We Dream framed Santiago’s release as a broader victory, while noting that many others remain in custody Santiago’s family and supporters celebrated her release during a virtual press conference, calling the moment both emotional and a reminder of the ongoing challenges facing young immigrants protected under the DACA program. “We are very happy to announce to everyone that my sister was released,” said José Luis, Santiago’s brother. Advocates also shared photos of Santiago reuniting with her spouse for the first time in two months. Judge orders immediate release Santiago was detained on Aug. 3 at the El Paso International Airport by Border Patrol agents as she attempted to board a domestic flight. Immigration authorities argued a 2020 arrest justified her detention and began proceedings to deport her. But this week, a federal judge ruled her detention unlawful and ordered her immediate release. The court found that Santiago had not violated the terms of her DACA status. “The judge found that the government had failed to even articulate an individualized reason for her detention,” said Ellie Norton of the National Immigration Project. “In the case, the government acknowledged that Xochitl cannot be deported because she has DACA.” Broader implications for DACA Advocates say the ruling underscores the limits on the federal government’s ability to target DACA recipients. “If they want to terminate someone’s DACA there’s a process to do that,” said immigration lawyer Luis Cortes. “They can’t just detain somebody and basically take them out of all the DACA benefits.” Groups like United We Dream framed Santiago’s release as a broader victory, while noting that many others remain in custody. “At least 20 other DACA recipients have been wrongfully detained despite their active and valid DACA status,” said Juliana Macedo do Nascimento, a national advocacy campaign director. Next steps While Santiago is now home with her family, advocates stressed that her case is part of a wider fight to protect immigrants with DACA protections. They say the work continues to ensure others in similar situations are not detained in the future.