MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – An undocumented transgender woman detained by immigration officials last week is being held at a male-only detention facility in South Florida after being transferred from Maryland, sparking criticism from her attorney and LGBTQ+ advocates.
Authorities said April Amaya-Luis, 43, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Feb. 4 after a probation meeting in Baltimore. She was held there for eight days before being transferred to the Krome Detention Center in west Miami-Dade, more than 1,000 miles from her home.
“For April to get sent directly to Florida is something we’ve never seen before,” said Rachel Girod, Amaya-Luis’ attorney.
Amaya-Luis, a longtime business owner in the U.S., pleaded guilty in January to a simple assault charge, which Girod described as “an offensive touching against an adult.” She has never been convicted of a violent crime, the attorney said.
Girod also accused ICE of moving Amaya-Luis just hours before a Baltimore immigration judge was set to review her custody status.
“Hours before a Baltimore immigration judge was to review her custody status, ICE transferred her almost as far away as they could,” Girod said.
It remains unclear why Amaya-Luis was sent to Florida.
Girod noted that Maryland does not have ICE detention contracts, meaning detainees are typically sent to much closer facilities in Virginia or Pennsylvania. She believes Amaya-Luis’ status as a transgender woman played a role in the decision.
Compounding concerns, the White House recently published a flyer alleging Amaya-Luis was convicted of a sexual offense involving a minor — an accusation her attorney vehemently denies.
“My client has never been accused of a crime against a child, much less one sexual in nature,” Girod said.
The flyer also used Amaya-Luis’ deadname, further fueling criticism from LGBTQ+ rights advocates who argue that ICE’s handling of transgender detainees has been inhumane.
“For her own protection, she knew she needed to request protective custody,” Girod said.
The case has drawn national attention, with legal experts noting the intersection of immigration enforcement and gender identity policies.
“Executive orders have focused on immigration enforcement and gender identity. This case is a whirlwind of the two,” Girod said. “It’s not as sensationalized as it is convenient.”
Records show Amaya-Luis is scheduled to appear before a Miami immigration judge on Feb. 26.
In the meantime, her husband has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help “bring April home.” Click here if you would like to contribute.