BALTIMORE — A Maryland-born U.S. citizen is being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after federal authorities transported her away from Maryland despite her lawyer providing official birth certificate and hospital records proving her citizenship, and while litigation over her detention was still underway.
The case highlights deep questions about immigration enforcement practices, due process protections, and how identity documentation is handled by federal agencies — particularly when conflicting administrative records and court orders are involved.
Citizen Identity Challenged by ICE
The woman, identified in court filings as Dulce Consuelo Diaz Morales, has maintained that she was born in Laurel, Maryland — a fact supported by a Maryland birth certificate and immunization history obtained from county health records. Her attorney, Victoria Slatton, also confirmed that hospital documentation was verified by medical staff.
Despite this, ICE has questioned the authenticity of her citizenship claim and transferred her to the Richwood Correctional Center in Louisiana. The government asserts she is not a U.S. citizen, citing earlier encounters with immigration authorities where she allegedly identified as a Mexican national. Government officials have not publicly released detailed documentation to explain this position.
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Judge’s Order and Timing Dispute
Lawyers for Diaz Morales filed a habeas corpus petition in U.S. District Court in Maryland — a legal move intended to require the government to justify her detention. Under a standing court order, the government is typically enjoined from removing or transporting detainees while such a petition is pending.
However, court records show that ICE relocated Diaz Morales before the standing order formally took effect, based on when the filing was processed by court clerks. Attorneys argue the agency acted in defiance of judicial protections, while ICE contends there was no enforceable stay at the time of removal.
Citizenship Documents Versus Agency Claims
Slatton has publicly urged ICE to recognize the birth certificate and immunization records, calling them primary evidence of U.S. citizenship. The attorney also said the hospital confirmed Diaz Morales was a patient during the time period consistent with her birth, adding weight to the documentation.
Meanwhile, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson disputed that the birth certificate was provided and claimed the woman in question is an undocumented immigrant from Mexico. The agency also denied any interference with legal counsel access, stating that detainees have communication rights.
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Family and Legal Advocacy
The situation has sparked concern among immigration rights advocates and civil liberties groups. Members of Diaz Morales’ family say she was taken into custody after being stopped by law enforcement while traveling in Baltimore, and they worry that her separation from her young child will continue through the holiday period.
Attorney Slatton is expected to file amended habeas petitions and additional evidence in federal court in the coming weeks, seeking both Diaz Morales’ release and a clear judicial ruling affirming her citizenship status.
Broader Context
This incident comes amid broader scrutiny of ICE’s practices. Reports from the United States have documented cases where U.S. citizens have been wrongfully detained or targeted for removal, including other error-related deportations and high-profile court battles over immigration agency conduct.
For many civil liberties attorneys, this case underscores the need for strong procedural safeguards when citizenship is in dispute — especially when government databases, administrative assumptions, or conflicting identity records are involved.
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