EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — Community members of the “Free Xochitl” activist campaign gathered Saturday to celebrate the release of Catalina “Xochitl” Santiago, who was detained by ICE for nearly two months.
Santiago was held for a total of 59 days before being released on Oct. 1, following a federal court ruling that found the detention had violated her constitutional rights.
The ruling by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone wrote that U.S. government attorneys “did not present any evidence indicating that Santiago has endangered anyone during her twenty years at liberty, including her thirteen years under DACA.”
Dozens of supporters organized a Liberation Parade outside the ICE processing center on Montana Avenue in East El Paso.
The march was followed by a community theater performance, where Santiago had appeared to speak about her experience while in detention.
Organizers said the event not only celebrated her release but also called for the freedom of others still being held in ICE facilities across the country.
RELATED: Report: El Paso DACA recipient Catalina Santiago has been released from ICE custody
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