Dulce Consuelo Díaz Morales' nightmare was with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) began on December 14, 2025, when she was detained and locked up, despite stating that she is a US citizen.

Her sister Sirley, who was with Dulce when she was arrested, said that her sister was arrested – without any explanation – while they were driving after leaving a Taco Bell in Baltimore. Sirley was driving.

Now Dulce breathes easier, she already has her passport and the threat of deportation – maintained even after her release in January – is not active at this moment, although her lawyers recognize that there is a latent fear.

Dulce's legal battle included evidence turned over by her attorneys, including a watermarked Maryland birth certificate issued by the Division of Vital Records, as well as immunization records issued by a Maryland county that reflect Dulce's date of birth.

What happened to your case? On May 27, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) filed a motion to dismiss with the Executive Office for Immigration Review in the deportation proceedings of Dulce, who was born in Laurel, Maryland.

“Dulce's freedom has an asterisk,” the lawyers said in a statement. “Given that the government only agreed to close Dulce’s case ‘without prejudice, this indicates that [the DHS] maintains the position that they can resume proceedings against him at any time.”

In its argument against Dulce, the DHS stated to this newspaper last December that Dulce was undocumented, born in Mexico.

“Dulce Consuelo Madrigal Díaz is NOT a US citizen; she is an undocumented immigrant from Mexico,” the DHS indicated. “She did NOT present a valid U.S. birth certificate or any evidence to support her claim to be a U.S. citizen.”

The passport as evidence of citizenship

On June 1, 2026, Dulce's defense team confirmed that their client received her US passport.

“This is the most conclusive evidence that she, or any person, can present to demonstrate her citizenship,” the firm stated. "However, this document only verifies the truth. She was a citizen before receiving the passport and will continue to be so."

“This case has clearly demonstrated that a person's legal status is only maintained until the government orders otherwise,” the firm added. “We continue to advocate for due process for all immigrants and citizens alike.”