By John Q. Hosedrinker 
On January 16, 2026, Yohendry De Jesus Crespo, Darianny Liseth Gonzalez De Crespo, and their 7-year-old daughter Diana were detained by immigration officers outside of Portland Adventist Health while seeking medical attention for Diana. The family is now held at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, a facility known for concerns regarding medical care. The family, who arrived from Venezuela over a year ago and have pending asylum applications, was reportedly denied Diana’s request to see a doctor despite the situation. Oregon officials and advocacy groups have expressed concern about the family’s detention, particularly the well-being of the child, and have called for swift and humane action.
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Gresham family detained by immigration officers while seeking medical care for their seven-year-old. This scenario, unfortunately, is something that’s becoming increasingly relevant, and it paints a grim picture of the current state of affairs. We’re talking about a family, the Greshams, who, like many others, were simply trying to navigate the complexities of life and seek essential medical attention for their child.
At the heart of the matter, their seven-year-old daughter was experiencing a nosebleed overnight. Naturally, they took her to an urgent care facility, Portland Adventist Health. However, what should have been a straightforward act of parental care turned into a nightmare. As they arrived in the parking lot of the urgent care center, they were intercepted and detained by ICE – Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It’s almost unbelievable, but this is the reality in 2025. The family didn’t even get inside the building, before they were taken.
The implications of this incident are deeply unsettling. It forces us to confront the chilling truth that families, particularly those with pending asylum applications who have committed no crimes, are being targeted. It raises the question of whether this is about law and order or about something far more insidious – a climate of fear and terror. ICE, it seems, is operating in a way that prioritizes capturing those deemed undesirable, even at the cost of basic human decency and compassion.
It’s hard to ignore the parallels with historical atrocities. The feeling of dread and vulnerability that this incident evokes is reminiscent of darker chapters in history. It forces us to acknowledge how easily systems can be perverted and used to inflict suffering on the innocent. The fact that this is happening in a country that prides itself on its values of freedom and justice makes the situation all the more heartbreaking.
The timing is significant. Dawn, when the incident occurred, signifies the start of a new day. But for the Gresham family, it was the start of an ordeal that could have lasting and devastating effects. It is a stark reminder that even the most basic human needs, such as healthcare, can become fraught with danger when one is perceived as an outsider.
The tactics employed by ICE, such as staking out a parking lot, suggest a level of surveillance and targeting that is deeply disturbing. It raises the question of how far this will go. Is it a matter of who someone looks like? It is an ominous sign that melanated families may have cause to fear seeking medical treatment. Some will become ill. Some will die. These are perhaps the ideal outcomes for those who pursue this kind of activity.
It is disheartening, to say the least, to witness such a disregard for human life and dignity. The rhetoric that often accompanies these actions – that only criminals are being detained – rings hollow in the face of such a clear violation of human rights. It also highlights the way in which certain groups are demonized and scapegoated, creating a climate of fear and division.
The comments surrounding this incident, the suggestion of ulterior motives, like quotas and bounties, add another layer of complexity to this already distressing narrative. The idea that ICE actions are driven by something other than the law is truly frightening. It points to a systematic abuse of power, where immigration enforcement becomes a tool for oppression and control.
There is a sense of urgency. The time to act is now. The response from those in power will ultimately define what kind of future we will create. Will it be one where families like the Greshams are safe?
It’s clear that this is not just about immigration; it’s about the erosion of fundamental human values. It’s about a society that has lost its way, where empathy and compassion are replaced by suspicion and fear. We must stand together and demand change. We need to remember the values that we hold dear.