Ecuadorian mother and daughter suffer traffic accident; mother detained in U.S. hospital
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Ecuadorian mother and daughter Grace Calero and Giulianna Carriel were involved in a traffic accident in Florida.
- Following the accident, Grace Calero was detained at a hospital by ICE agents, despite having a pending asylum case and work permit.
- The family is organizing a fundraiser for legal and medical expenses, with the daughter suffering from anxiety.
An Ecuadorian mother and her daughter were involved in a traffic accident in Florida, leading to the mother's detention by U.S. immigration authorities while she was still hospitalized.
Grace Calero, 39, and her 19-year-old daughter Giulianna Carriel were in a vehicle when another car allegedly invaded their lane, causing their car to overturn. The incident occurred on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
ICE took advantage of the moment.
According to Gia Calero, Grace's sister, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents allegedly took advantage of the situation. They transported the mother and daughter to a hospital in Kissimmee, Florida. Gia Calero claims that ICE interviewed Grace while she was sedated and then arrested her "like a criminal" without identifying themselves as agents of the institution.
They interviewed Grace while she was sedated and arrested her like a criminal.
The family states that Grace has a pending asylum case and a work permit, while Giulianna possesses a valid visa until 2030. Social media videos show Grace with a neck brace from her injuries and Giulianna crying in distress, fearing separation from her mother. The daughter reportedly suffers from an anxiety disorder.
Images also captured the moment Grace was handcuffed by agents. While Gia Calero identified the agents as ICE, social media sources suggest they may belong to the Seminole Sheriff's office. The family's close circle has launched a fundraiser to cover urgent expenses, including legal aid and medical bills stemming from the accident.
We are organizing a fundraiser to cover urgent expenses, including legal advice and medical bills.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by El Comercio in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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