Spokane asylum seeker self-deports to Nicaragua, fearing detainment and separation from 1-year-old - Mon, 29 Jun 2026 PST

Fatima self-deported six months ago from Spokane out of fear of being detained, despite an ongoing asylum case. Her partner had been detained a little over a year earlier, an experience she said contributed to her fear of being detained and possibly separated from her 1-year-old child.

She said she continues to live in fear of the Nicaraguan government’s crackdown on religious freedom and anyone who speaks against the president, but felt returning was a better choice.