Family unsure where 8-year-old Haitian boy is being held after ICE detention

An 8-year-old Haitian boy was taken by federal immigration officers during a routine immigration appointment in California last week, prompting lawmakers to question the boy’s whereabouts.

The boy, who is a third grader at Fay Elementary School in San Diego, Calif., lost his Temporary Protected Status after the Supreme Court ended legal protections for Haitians in June , according to a report by NBC News citing a letter from school district officials. He was called to meet with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer last week and was taken to the appointment by his uncle who has been taking care of him since his father was deported last year, the report said.

Guerline Jozef, executive director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, said, “the child was taken into custody and subsequently transferred to the Office of Refugee Resettlement,” NBC reported.

California Sens. Alex Padilla (D) and Adam B. Schiff (D) along with four other lawmakers sent a letter to federal officials on Tuesday, expressing concerns about the wellbeing of the boy and requesting confirmation on his whereabouts.

“We express concerns about the basis for this action and the harm it may cause a young child who appeared for his required hearing before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR),” the letter read.

“We also request confirmation on the child’s whereabouts, whether his family is aware of his location, and what steps your agencies are taking to ensure he can be reunited with them,” it added.

A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security told NBC that ICE officers said they could not confirm if the man who accompanied the boy to the appointment was related to him and “the alleged uncle could not establish legal guardianship of the minor.”

“Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the child’s safety, ICE determined it was best to remove the child from the household,” the spokesperson said in the NBC report.

The events surrounding the Haitian boy is among several other instances marking the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration. Recently, a 21-year-old Wisconsin state trooper of South African origin, was detained by ICE and released a day later.

Immigration has been a key focus for the second Trump administration. Democrats across the country have campaigned against the crackdown with some even calling to abolish ICE.