Ecuador protests Ice Agent’s attempt to enter Consulate!
Quito, Jan 27 (EFE) –
The Ecuadorian government sent a diplomatic note of protest to the United States after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent attempted to enter the Ecuadorian consulate in Minneapolis, Minnesota, without permission.
The incident occurred around 11:00 am local time, and consulate officials “prevented the ICE officer from entering the consular headquarters, thus ensuring the protection of the Ecuadorians who were at the consular headquarters at the time,” according to a statement from the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld “immediately presented a note of protest to the US Embassy in Ecuador so that acts of this nature are not repeated at Ecuadorian consular offices in the United States.”
This is the first time that the government of President Daniel Noboa, who is close to the administration of his US counterpart Donald Trump, has formally protested against Washington’s immigration policy towards migrants.
The incident reported by Ecuador occurred after Ecuadorian Adrián Cornejo and his 5-year-old son Liam were detained by ICE agents at the entrance to their home in Minneapolis, just as they were returning from school, during a raid.
The Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry confirmed on Saturday that both had been taken to the South Texas Family Residential Center while their immigration status was being determined. A Texas judge blocked their deportation on Tuesday until their case is resolved.
“The family has canceled our meetings, but despite this, the Ecuadorian government is in direct contact with the US authorities to ensure the safety not only of the child, but also of the adults,” he added.
In addition to Conejo and his son, it was also revealed a few days ago that Elvis Tipán and his 2-year-old daughter Chloe, and Rosa Llangari and her son Joffe Jara, were also detained by ICE agents in Minneapolis.
The Ecuadorian government informed that the 2-year-old girl had been handed over later to her mother. EFE
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