A federal judge has ordered the release of a pregnant woman from Ghana and her young son who were detained for more than a week at a Washington-area airport, despite entering the United States on valid visas.

The woman had traveled to the U.S. with her son so the child could receive medical attention, according to court documents filed by her lawyers. The pair were held in what attorneys described as a windowless detention room at the airport.

The judge's ruling came after more than a week of detention, during which the pregnant woman and her child remained confined at the facility. Court documents indicate the family possessed valid visas for their entry into the United States.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about immigration detention practices, particularly involving families with children and pregnant women. The specific circumstances that led to their initial detention despite having proper documentation were not immediately clear from available court records.

The judge's order prevents the family from spending another night in airport detention, though details about their immediate release arrangements were not provided in the court ruling.