News Summary
Ernesto Manuel-Andres, an 18-year-old from Bowling Green, Kentucky, has been held by ICE for nearly two weeks despite having legal protections. His community has rallied in support, emphasizing concerns over immigration practices. Andres was detained during an ICE sweep, and advocates are pushing for his release amidst ongoing legal proceedings. A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $27,000 for his legal expenses, reflecting community solidarity against ICE operations. The outcome of upcoming hearings could impact future cases involving young immigrants with legal status.
Bowling Green Teen Detained by ICE Despite Legal Status, Community Rallies for Release
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Ernesto Manuel-Andres, an 18-year-old resident, has been in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for nearly two weeks without appearing before a judge. His detention marks a significant community concern amid ongoing debates over immigration practices.
Andres was detained on June 4 during an ICE sweep conducted in Kentucky while agents were searching for a different individual. At the time of his apprehension, he presented documentation confirming his legal status, which includes Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status that protects minors who have experienced abandonment, neglect, or abuse, and Deferred Action status granted by the Department of Homeland Security that prevents his deportation until 2029.
Despite possessing these legal protections, Andres remains in custody and has yet to receive a hearing before an immigration judge. Concerns over his treatment have grown as advocates point out that ICE has allegedly misrepresented the circumstances surrounding his entry into the United States.
Since his detention, Andres has been transferred multiple times between facilities: he was initially taken to Grayson County, then to Laurel County, and is now being held at Richwood Correctional Center in Monroe, Louisiana. The frequent relocations have complicated efforts for advocates to communicate with him and provide necessary support.
On June 9, advocates were finally able to make contact with Andres, but plans for a bond hearing scheduled for June 16 were derailed after the Department of Homeland Security filed a motion to change the venue of his case. As it stands, a new master calendar hearing has been arranged for June 23; however, such hearings typically do not involve decisions regarding bond or release.
The Bowling Green community has rallied significantly in defense of Andres, organizing a rally on June 11 as well as multiple prayer vigils throughout the week, one of which took place at Broadway United Methodist Church. These actions reflect a growing solidarity with immigrants and a critical stance against ICE’s operations.
A GoFundMe campaign has also been launched to raise funds for Andres’ legal expenses, generating over $27,000. Excess funds from the campaign are intended to support other refugees who have faced similar detainment challenges.
This incident has brought to light broader concerns about ICE’s practices and the impact of their operations on local communities, particularly around the treatment of individuals with established legal protections.
As the community continues to express its support for Andres, the emphasis remains on ensuring that due process is upheld and that immigrants are treated fairly within the legal system. The outcome of the upcoming hearing on June 23 will be closely monitored by advocates and residents alike, as it may set a precedent for future cases involving young immigrants with legal status.
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Additional Resources
- WKU Herald: Bowling Green Teen Detained by ICE
- Wikipedia: Immigration legalities in the United States
- Newsweek: ICE Arrests Teenager
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration
- WNKY: Citizens Protest ICE in Bowling Green
- Google Search: ICE detention legal status
- Kentucky.com: News on ICE Practices
- Google Scholar: Immigration law in the United States
- Spectrum Local News: Kentuckians React
- Google News: Kentucky ICE detention
