People
Maria Bonilla ICE Detention: Why a Georgia Mom Was Taken After 24 Years in the U.S.
For more than two decades, Maria Bonilla called the United States home. She raised four children, held a steady job, and followed the rules set by immigration officials — including routine check-ins that became part of her everyday life. But on May 8, 2025, everything changed.
That morning, Bonilla walked into Atlanta’s Immigration Court for what seemed like a standard appointment, one she had attended many times before. By the end of the visit, she was in federal custody. Her daughters, who accompanied her that day, were left stunned and heartbroken.
The reason for her detention? A paperwork error, according to her family. Now, the 41-year-old mother of four sits behind glass at Stewart Detention Center, a privately operated immigration jail in Georgia, while her children and community rally for her release.
Who is Maria Bonilla?
Maria Bonilla is a Salvadoran immigrant who entered the U.S. at age 17 in 2001. She settled in Georgia and built her life around work and family, eventually raising four children: Araceli Anahi (22), Magali Avigail (21), Henrin Alexander (17), and Tatiana Jaqueline (15). For years, Bonilla worked as a tender cutter at Gold Creek, a local poultry processing facility, and received a work authorisation permit allowing her to remain in the country legally.
Despite not having had access to formal education, she never learned to read or write. Maria managed to maintain employment, attend required immigration check-ins, and provide for her children. Her daughter Magali told Newsweek that her mother arrived in the U.S. “not knowing how to read or write, and to this day, she cannot do either due to never having had an education, even when she was a little girl.”
Her story, while deeply personal, mirrors those of many undocumented or semi-documented immigrants in the U.S. who navigate the legal system while trying to secure stability for their families.
Why was Maria Bonilla detained by ICE?
Maria Bonilla was detained at the Atlanta Immigration Court on May 8, 2025, after presenting herself for a scheduled appointment. According to her daughters, she was detained due to an issue with her paperwork, a problem they say resulted from conflicting instructions from her legal representatives.
Magali Bonilla explained that Maria had submitted images of her passport to her legal team, who had previously advised that the physical document wasn’t required. However, it was later revealed that the passport was listed as a mandatory item on a checklist. This miscommunication resulted in her detention during what was intended to be a routine check-in.
“I was with my mother when they were taking her fingerprints and DNA,” Magali said. “Shortly after, we got separated.”
Immigration officers reportedly told the family to retrieve her physical passport and resubmit her paperwork. Despite the family providing the necessary documents and reapplying, Maria remained in custody at Stewart Detention Center — a facility run by CoreCivic, one of the largest private prison operators in the U.S.
Where is Maria Bonilla being held?
Maria is currently in ICE custody at Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia. The facility, known as one of the largest immigration detention centers in the U.S., has long faced criticism over its conditions and the emotional toll it takes on detainees and their families.
Stewart is operated by CoreCivic, a private company contracted by the federal government to run detention centers and prisons. The Bonilla family stated that since Maria cannot read or write, she has had to rely on other detainees to assist her in contacting a lawyer and navigating the legal system while in custody.
The experience of being detained has deeply affected both Maria and her children. “It has been extremely hard seeing my mom through a glass window and talking to her through a phone like she was a criminal,” Magali said. “It is just hard.”
How has her detention impacted her children?
L-R – Araceli Anahi Bonilla, 22, Magali Avigail Bonilla, 21, Maria Bonilla, R – Henrin Alexander Bonilla, 17, and Tatiana Jaqueline Bonilla, 15.
Source: Family
The Bonilla children have been directly affected by their mother’s sudden detention. Her daughter Magali, who was preparing to enter nursing school, made the difficult decision to pause her studies to help support the family and care for her younger siblings. She took on additional work hours and postponed her academic plans indefinitely.
“My siblings took it hard,” she shared. “I had to take a semester off from school due to having to work more hours and help my younger siblings.”
For the youngest children, the emotional strain has been profound. The family recently celebrated Henrin’s high school graduation without their mother present. “It did not feel real because she was at my older sister’s and my graduation,” Magali said. “No family should be going through such a heartbreak.”
Despite the emotional weight, the Bonilla family continues to show strength and unity, attending every legal appointment and advocating for Maria’s release.
What role did previous legal troubles play?
Maria Bonilla’s past includes an arrest for driving without a license — a common occurrence for undocumented immigrants who may not have access to state-issued identification. However, she had been regularly checking in with ICE for more than 10 years and was on a work authorisation permit at the time of her detention.
There have been no reports of violent or criminal behavior linked to Maria beyond the previous driving infraction, which her family says is in the past. Until her detention, she had consistently complied with all legal requirements.
How has the community responded?
Following Maria’s detention, her local community in Georgia stepped in to support the Bonilla family. A GoFundMe campaign was launched to assist with legal fees and household expenses. The page has been shared widely, highlighting the urgency of the family’s situation and drawing attention to the broader implications of U.S. immigration enforcement.
Stewart Detention Center has been criticized in the past for its treatment of detainees, and Maria’s story has reignited debate over the handling of nonviolent immigrants who have lived and worked in the U.S. for many years.
Magali continues to speak publicly about her mother’s case, sharing updates and calling for compassion and justice. “No one should have a time limit on talking and visiting their mother,” she said.
Why is this happening now?
Maria Bonilla’s detention comes amid ongoing scrutiny of U.S. immigration policies. Though the incident occurred during the Biden administration, the Bonilla family attributes the harshness of the situation to the lingering effects of former President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, which reclassified anyone living in the U.S. without documentation as a “criminal” subject to detention or deportation.
While the administration’s approach has shifted somewhat in rhetoric, enforcement policies and the infrastructure of detention facilities, such as Stewart, remain largely unchanged. Maria’s case reflects the complexities of navigating immigration law, especially for individuals with limited literacy and access to legal support.
What happens next for Maria Bonilla?
As of July 22, 2025, Maria Bonilla remains in ICE custody. The family is awaiting updates from immigration officials following the resubmission of her passport and required forms. They remain hopeful but are unsure how long the process may take.
In the meantime, legal efforts continue. Other detainees have helped Maria connect with an attorney, and her daughters continue to advocate on her behalf. While the paperwork issue may be resolved, her release depends on further review by ICE.
Magali has vowed to keep fighting for her mother, telling Newsweek, “Family is family, and she is now mine — so I will always stick up for her.”
FAQs
Who is Maria Bonilla? Maria Bonilla is a mother of four from Georgia who immigrated to the United States from El Salvador in 2001. She has lived in the U.S. for 24 years.
Why was Maria Bonilla detained by ICE? She was detained due to a paperwork issue related to her immigration status, reportedly caused by conflicting legal advice.
Where is she being held? Maria is currently held at Stewart Detention Center in Georgia.
Does Maria Bonilla have a criminal record?
She was previously jailed for driving without a license but has no known violent or serious criminal record.
What is her immigration status? Maria was on a valid work authorisation permit at the time of her detention.
How has this affected her family? Her daughter had to pause her education and take on extra work to support the family. Her younger children have also been emotionally affected.
Has the community responded? Yes. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help the family with legal and personal expenses.
Is Maria expected to be released soon? There is no confirmed date for her release. Her family is awaiting a decision after submitting corrected documents.
