PORTLAND, Ore. — In late October, Jackie Merlos walked out of the ICE detention facility after four long months inside, and into the arms of her good friend, Mimi Lettunich.

"I had a dream last night that I'd get released today," she said to Lettunich in a video from that afternoon.

Friends then drove Merlos down to Portland, where she reunited with her four children, who were overjoyed — and surprised — to see their mother. They didn't know if — or when — she would finally be home.

"Something broke my heart when they came to visit me last time on Thursday, right before I got released on Monday," she said, "Carlitos was telling me, 'Mom, I miss you so much. ... I wish I can hug you... my life is nothing without you.'"

Merlos spent more than 100 days in federal detention — first insi

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