In a distressing incident at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan on September 25, 2025, a family faced a heartbreaking separation during an asylum hearing. Monica Moretta Galarsa, an Ecuadorian woman, encountered a situation that quickly escalated when her husband was detained by ICE agents. In a crowded hallway, with emotional tension running high, Monica’s husband was taken while their children, witnessing the ordeal, clung to him in a desperate attempt to maintain their family unity.

Amidst the turmoil, Monica, overwhelmed and distraught, cried out in protest as agents separated the family, prying the daughter away from her father’s leg while her son looked on. In a heated moment, as the ICE agent proceeded to walk away, Monica confronted him. The agent dismissively responded with the words “Adios, adios.” Matters escalated further when Monica, in an attempt to reconnect with her family, put her hand on the agent’s chest. The response was swift and physical, as the agent shoved her, causing her to fall to the floor.

This incident, which starkly highlighted the human cost of immigration enforcement, led to immediate scrutiny. The ICE officer involved in the altercation was “relieved of current duties” pending investigation. This case serves as a somber reminder of the emotional stakes inherent in immigration proceedings and the urgent need for compassionate handling of such delicate situations.