An Albany mother, Maria Loya Medina, has been released from Tacoma’s Northwest Detention Center following a federal judge’s order that deemed her previous detention unconstitutional. Her release came on May 8, a day after Judge Grady J. Leupold ruled that an immigration judge had violated Medina’s due process rights by denying her bond. Judge Leupold stated, “No reasonable and impartial decision-maker presented with the facts and evidence of Petitioner’s case would conclude denial of bond was warranted.” Medina was taken into custody by federal immigration agents on January 10 while shopping for socks for her son, who needed them for a soccer game later that day. This operation, known as Operation Black Rose, was part of a broader initiative by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that led to over 1,000 arrests in Oregon in 2025. In court documents, Medina reported being surrounded by several Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who smashed her car window during her detention. Described as a caring and respected member of the Albany community, she has lived in the U.S. since 2005 and has been a resident of Albany for the past seven years. Medina is married and the mother of two U.S. citizen children, aged 14 and 16. Additionally, she is the primary caregiver for her husband, Serapio Herrera, who suffered a stroke and underwent heart surgery in 2025. Medina has no criminal history in Oregon. Her only encounter with the law prior to her arrest was in 1998 when she attempted to enter the U.S. near Tijuana, leading to a brief arrest by Border Patrol. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security referred to her as an “illegal alien from Mexico,” asserting that she chose to illegally re-enter the U.S. and claimed she had received full due process during her proceedings. Following her arrest, Medina’s lawyers filed a habeas corpus petition on January 14, arguing her detention was unlawful and that she was entitled to a bond hearing. The petition was granted, but an immigration judge denied her bond at a hearing on February 4 after a brief session lacking adequate interpretation services. Despite presenting substantial evidence to support her release, including strong community ties, employment history, and letters of support, Medina was labeled a “Flight Risk.” Judge Leupold criticized the immigration judge’s reliance on Medina’s past immigration history and condition during her arrest, noting there was no evidence she attempted to evade capture or posed an actual danger. Consequently, he ruled that her continued detention was a violation of due process. Medina’s legal team expressed their outrage over the delay in her release, with attorney Stephen W. Manning commenting on the apparent constitutional violations surrounding her detention. In response, the Department of Homeland Security stated that ICE released Medina following proper protocols once notified to do so. After enduring months of separation from her family, Medina expressed gratitude for her release. Her husband, Herrera, conveyed overwhelming joy and relief at being reunited with his wife, stating that their family would once again feel complete. U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici, who had visited Medina and advocated for her release, also expressed gratitude, condemning the aggressive tactics of ICE. While Medina is now home, her immigration case remains under appeal, leaving lingering questions regarding her future and the ongoing policies affecting numerous families trapped in similar situations.