A Houston teen with autism, held in a federal facility, will undergo emergency surgery for appendicitis, as advocates push for his return to his mother. HOUSTON — A Houston teenager with autism who was first thought to be in ICE custody is actually being held in a federal facility for unaccompanied migrant children — and now, he’s expected to undergo emergency surgery. Fifteen-year-old Emmanuel Gonzalez Garcia has the cognitive abilities of a 4 or 5-year-old, according to his mother. She said she hasn’t been able to see him in nine days and is pleading with authorities to place her son back in her care. At a news conference Monday, immigrant advocacy group FIEL Houston stood alongside Emmanuel’s mother, urging the federal government and local law enforcement to reunite the two. The organization said Emmanuel began experiencing severe abdominal pain while in custody and is now set to undergo emergency surgery for appendicitis at Texas Children’s Hospital. FIEL Executive Director Cesar Espinoza said Emmanuel’s condition and separation have raised serious concerns. “This is not a shelter. This is not a place where he can leave and come back. He is in custody,” Espinoza said. “So, what follows after that day, what we don’t want to have this family go through is for him to go through all these legal hurdles in order just to be reunited with this 15-year-old autistic boy who has the cognitive ability of a 4 or 5-year-old." Emmanuel was first reported missing on Saturday, Oct. 4. The next day, Houston firefighters responded to a welfare check and found the teen, who reportedly told officers he was homeless and from another country. According to Houston police, officers spent about four hours with Emmanuel before being directed by Child Protective Services to contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ICE later confirmed HPD reached out to help identify the minor, but said he was never in ICE custody. Instead, he was placed with the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), which manages unaccompanied migrant children. Emmanuel’s mother said she has only been able to communicate with her son through virtual calls. Given his developmental challenges, she worries he may not fully understand what’s happening to him as he undergoes surgery. FIEL said it plans to provide updates on Emmanuel’s condition and continue pressing for his release back into his mother’s care. Got a news tip or story idea? Email us at newstips@khou.com or call 713-521-4310 and include your name and the best way to reach you.