FERNDALE, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Congressional leaders continue to call for action to free a family held in ICE custody in Ferndale.

Rep. Rick Larsen said that a federal judge approved an emergency restraining order on Tuesday, July 15 that keeps the family of five from being sent to another country.

Kenia Jackeline Merlos, who is from Honduras, has been held at the Ferndale facility with her four U.S. citizen children since June 28. She has lived in the U.S. for about 20 years, most recently in Portland.

Rep. Maxine Dexter of Oregon visited the detention center late last week to demand the family’s release.

Rep. Dexter and Rep. Larsen wrote to the Department of Homeland Security over the weekend, demanding that the family be able to speak to an attorney or other legal counsel.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that Merlos has pending immigration documents that haven’t been finalized with the federal government.

The representatives’ letter states that she has a valid work permit and has not been charged with a crime.