What was supposed to be a simple family outing to a peaceful border park ended in unexpected chaos for Jackie Merlos, an Oregon mom of four.
Instead of returning home after a casual meetup with her sister at the U.S.-Canada border, she and her American-born children were swept into immigration detention—and nearly two weeks later, they’re still not free.
Peace Arch Park Visit Ends in Unexpected Arrest
It all happened on June 28 at Peace Arch Park, a popular site that straddles the U.S.-Canada line.
The location is known as a sort of “neutral zone,” where families and friends from both countries can meet without passing through traditional border checkpoints.
Jackie, who’s originally from Honduras, had gone there with her 9-year-old triplets, her 7-year-old son, and her elderly mother, Juana, to spend some time with her sister who lives in Canada.
But what started as a heartfelt reunion ended abruptly when Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents detained all six family members on-site.
Husband Detained Days Later Outside Portland Home
As if that wasn’t enough, Jackie’s husband was also detained a few days later outside their home in Portland, Oregon, and taken to the same ICE detention center in Tacoma, Washington.
The family now finds themselves scattered and caught in a legal and emotional whirlwind.
Accusations of Human Trafficking, But No Charges Filed
CBP claims Jackie was involved in a human smuggling attempt.
In a statement, a spokesperson said she was arrested at the park “attempting to smuggle illegal aliens” into the U.S.—a serious accusation.
Yet, despite the charge, no formal criminal charges have been filed against her.
Her attorney says there’s no evidence, and many close to the family believe the situation has been completely misunderstood.
Friend and family guardian Mimi Lettunich suspects the allegation stems from Jackie’s sister stepping slightly into U.S. territory just to hug the kids goodbye.
Close Friend Launches GoFundMe to Fight Back
Lettunich, who now has guardianship of Jackie’s kids, has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for legal fees and keep people updated.
The fundraiser has already brought in over $21,000, reflecting how deeply the story has touched people.
“This is a kind, honest, hardworking family,” Lettunich says“They’re the kind of people we’re lucky to have in our community.”
Lawmakers Step In and Demand Answers
The case has caught the attention of Oregon Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, who visited the family and posted a powerful message online.
According to Dexter, the children and their mother have spent the past two weeks locked in a cement, windowless cell, far longer than CBP’s official guidelines, which limit detentions to 72 hours.
“This is what authoritarianism looks like,” Dexter said in her video.
“If we let this become normal, we lose part of who we are.”
CBP Guidelines Say This Shouldn’t Be Happening
CBP’s own published policies clearly state that detainees should only be held for the shortest time necessary—ideally no more than three days.
Yet, Jackie and her kids have now been in custody for almost two weeks.
Dexter also claims Jackie has been denied access to a lawyer and even blocked from speaking with her elected representatives.
Another Congressman Voices Concern
Washington Congressman Rick Larsen has also stepped in, saying he’s now in touch with Homeland Security to get the facts.
“Federal agents must uphold the law—but they also have to respect people’s constitutional rights,” he said in a statement.
Immigration Status and Legal Limbo
While Jackie isn’t a U.S. citizen, she has applied for a special visa that’s still being processed.
That’s added another layer of complexity to the case.
Immigration attorney Len Saunders, who isn’t directly involved, says the situation simply doesn’t make sense.
“Why would someone bring their American kids to smuggle people into the country?” he asked.
He’s also baffled as to why Jackie and her children are being held in a short-term facility for so long.
“These places aren’t built for that kind of extended stay,” Saunders added.
A Community Rallies for Justice
As the legal process unfolds, friends, neighbors, and lawmakers continue to push for the family’s release.
To them, this isn’t just a question of immigration—it’s about fairness, compassion, and due process.
And for Jackie Merlos and her children, it’s about reuniting a family that simply went out for a peaceful day at the park.