Congressman Castro Calls for the Release and Reunification of Dad and 13-Year-Old Son in ICE Detention

June 24, 2026 Congressman Castro Calls for the Release and Reunification of Dad and 13-Year-Old Son in ICE Detention WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement calling for the release from ICE detention and reunification of 13-year-old Leonardo Santiago Soto Uribe and his dad Benjamin Lerma-Huipio: “Leonardo Santiago ‘Santi’ Soto Uribe should be enjoying his summer before starting 9th grade. Instead, ICE detained him and his father, Benjamin Lerma-Huipio, outside of San Antonio. ICE separated 13-year-old Santi from his father, who is being locked away at a different facility. “Yesterday, ICE said he could go home. Santi went to bed last night thinking he was going to be with his mom in the morning. But ICE pulled the rug from under him—preventing him from returning home where he belongs. He hasn’t showered and has only been given cookies and juice. “His father has been in the United States since 2005, working as a roofer and building a life in Austin for his family. My office has been working around the clock to get Santi released. We won’t stop until they’re home.” Print Email Tweet