The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is actively pursuing the deportation of a Finnish national accused of assaulting a family in Florida. The individual, identified as Nina Jaaskelainen, is alleged to have thrown coffee on a mother, her baby, and their dog during a confrontation.

ICE has issued a detainer for Jaaskelainen, who was arrested earlier this month in New Smyrna, as confirmed by the agency. Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin expressed concern over Jaaskelainen’s long-term illegal residency in the United States, stating, “For over two decades, Jaaskelainen has been living in our country unlawfully, evading the law without facing consequences. Now, her actions have resulted in harm to a baby, a mother, and a dog.”

McLaughlin further noted that Jaaskelainen is currently facing charges for battery and domestic violence. “ICE has lodged an arrest detainer to prevent her from posing a threat to any other American families,” she said. McLaughlin emphasized the commitment of President Trump and Secretary Noem to protecting American citizens from illegal activities by undocumented immigrants.

According to FOX35 Orlando, Jaaskelainen has entered a not guilty plea in court following the incident, which took place on November 14. Her case continues to unfold as legal proceedings progress.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is seeking to deport Nina Jaaskelainen following her arrest in Florida earlier this month. (Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Homeland Security)

Jaaskelainen has pleaded not guilty in court after the alleged incident on Nov. 14, according to FOX35 Orlando. 

“According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, a mother was walking with her infant son and dog when Jaaskelainen confronted the mother over the dog not being leashed,” DHS said. “During the confrontation, the illegal alien threw coffee on the baby, the mother and their dog. Jaaskelainen was arrested and taken to the Volusia County Jail where she was charged with battery and domestic violence.” 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) filed a detainer against Nina Jaaskelainen earlier this month. (Salwan Georges/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Homeland Security said Jaaskelainen first entered the U.S. on April 17, 1999, on a B2 tourist visa that required her to leave by July 16 of that year. 

“She chose to ignore our laws and remained in the U.S. illegally for the last 26 years,” DHS said.

Jaaskelainen told investigators that she threw the coffee on the dog because it was making her own dog upset and that she thought the mother, boy and dog were on her property, WKMG reported. 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE agents walk down a street during a multi-agency targeted enforcement operation in Chicago, Ill., on Jan. 26, 2025.  (Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“Nina confirmed that she had thrown coffee on [the mother’s] dog and denied intentionally throwing coffee on [the mother] and her baby,” the station also quoted an affidavit as saying.