UMD Student and Mother Detained by ICE After Immigration Check-in

Maria Flores Garcia, a University of Maryland freshman and the valedictorian of Parkdale High School’s class of 2026, was taken into custody alongside her mother by federal immigration authorities last week.

The detention occurred during a scheduled check-in Baltimore, according to reporting by FOX 5 DC.

For the Prince George’s County community, the news marks a sudden shift from a season of academic celebration to one of acute uncertainty.

Flores Garcia, an El Salvador native, had recently transitioned from a high-achieving high school career to a scholarship-funded program in public health at the University of Maryland. Her boyfriend, Cesar Saavedra, who has organized an online fundraiser to support the family, described the situation as heartbreaking for everyone involved.

The detention highlights the precarious nature of administrative immigration proceedings, where routine appointments can result in immediate shifts in legal status. Saavedra noted the difficulty of maintaining composure while navigating the legal system. “It’s obviously very hard for the moment, for the family.

I’ve been trying to just stay as the most composed one, you could say, most calm one and just been trying to help out the family that’s detained and the family that is here outside as well,” Saavedra stated.

This event follows a milestone year for the student. During her May 2026 valedictorian address, Flores Garcia spoke openly about the hurdles she overcame to reach graduation, including the necessity of relying on her father to translate her school assignments. Her academic trajectory, marked by a focus on public health, was intended to lead toward a career in service—a goal now suspended by her current detention.

University of Maryland officials confirmed they are aware of the situation. In a statement, the university noted that the student was taken into custody off-campus by immigration enforcement officials. The institution indicated it is working to provide resources where possible and appropriate, though the reach of such support is limited by the jurisdictional boundaries of federal immigration enforcement.

For families like the Flores Garcias, the lack of immediate public comment from federal authorities—FOX 5 DC reported that ICE did not respond to requests for comment—leaves them in a state of administrative limbo.

The situation remains fluid. The case serves as a reminder of the intersection between federal immigration policy and the daily lives of students in the Maryland region, where a scheduled appointment can quickly transition into a life-altering legal challenge.