1. United States
2. Ala.
3. Letter

I am a constituent from Alabama, and I am writing urgently on behalf of a family in our state. Elder Nain Chávez Carranza, a child of God who was residing in your district when he was granted Special Immigrant Juvenile (https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/green-card-based-on-special-immigrant-juvenile-classification)(SIJ) status in September 2025, during the second Trump Administration, is wrongfully detained.  Elder was in the process of adjusting his immigration status when he was detained during a traffic stop in December 2025. He is currently at the Winn Correctional Center in Louisiana, hundreds of miles from his Alabama home. His sister, who is taking care of her premature baby, is his legal guardian and spent weeks in bed rest at high risk of losing her baby since Elder was detained.  Elder is a teenager who this Republican Administration said he deserves special protection after fleeing from death, violence, poverty, and the lack of opportunities in Honduras, a 3400-mile trip on foot, he did alone. Very few adults would dare to do such a dangerous journey as he did.  I believe some misunderstanding led to Elder's detention at Winn. I know how committed you are to be the voice for the voiceless and supporting children, mothers, and families across our nation. And that you want  every child not only to be born but to have the opportunity to live their American Dream. Elder came to the U.S. not only to escape violence but also to pursue the American Dream.  Elder’s community in Albertville hopes he can return to Alabama promptly, where he can complete his education, a pillar of the American Dream, while he continues adjusting his status to remain in this country. I believe you can play a key role in his return and his safety.  I ask you to be the Republican who takes action. In this case, for Elder, a child whom God has put in your path to help.  Senator, this is about respecting children's rights, rights that have already been mercifully recognized the moment Elder was granted his SIJ status last year.  ICE has well-established discretionary authority to release individuals on humanitarian grounds while their immigration cases are pending. That authority exists precisely for situations like Elder's—a child who arrived in the United States at age 14 and built deep community ties. He dreams of becoming an American football kicker.  Since he arrived in the US, he has shown respect and determination and has been committed to studying and graduating from high school. His teachers define him as a “responsible and respectful” teenager who “was always willing to help others.” An “intelligent, caring, and polite young man who was always willing to help and learn.” They also highlighted that Elder “excelled” at school. Elder is the kind of human we need in this country to thrive.  We are asking you to contact Secretary Mullin directly and request his personal intervention on Elder's behalf—to secure Elder's release from Winn and his return to his family in Alabama, so he can continue his education and contributions to this country. Thank you for your attention and intervention in this case.