News Summary
In Bowling Green, Kentucky, advocates rallied to protest the detention of an 18-year-old immigrant who was taken by ICE shortly after graduating high school. Despite holding Special Immigrant Juvenile status and protection from deportation, he was detained, sparking community outrage and fears of ICE’s tactics. Fundraising efforts continue to support his bond while advocates call for necessary legislative changes to protect vulnerable populations.
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Advocates for immigrants’ rights in Bowling Green gathered to protest the detention of 18-year-old Ernesto Manuel-Andres, who was allegedly taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on June 12, just three weeks after graduating from high school. Attendees at the protest chanted “Bring Ernesto home!” while expressing their discontent with the circumstances surrounding his detainment.
Ernesto holds Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status, a legal designation for youth who have experienced abandonment, neglect, or abuse. He is also protected from deportation under Deferred Action from the Department of Homeland Security. Despite having documentation allowing him to reside in the United States legally, he was detained by ICE agents at his apartment. On the day of his detainment, agents also arrested his father in a parking lot and allegedly coerced him into leading them to their home.
Reports indicate that Ernesto was moved three times within five days, with his last known location being in Monroe, Louisiana. His detainment sparked concerns within the community about the potential for retaliation against those who speak out against ICE’s actions. Local authorities, including the Bowling Green Police Department and Warren County Sheriff’s Office, have confirmed that they were not involved in Ernesto’s detainment.
On June 18, a bond hearing was conducted in Indianapolis, and the estimated bond amount was set between $15,000 and $20,000. The Fugees Family, a nonprofit organization based in Ohio dedicated to supporting immigrant and refugee youth, initiated a GoFundMe campaign aimed at covering Ernesto’s bond and assisting his family. The campaign has been successful, raising nearly $28,000 toward its $30,000 goal. Any extra funds collected will be allocated to support other students in the Fugees Family community.
Ernesto has no criminal history or pending charges and does not face any deportation orders. This detainment is viewed by many as part of a troubling trend where ICE conducts warrantless arrests of legal immigrants and citizens. Luma Mufleh, CEO and founder of Fugees Family, expressed concerns over the precedent such actions set, underscoring that innocent individuals, regardless of their status, could be similarly affected by these tactics.
Proud of his academic achievements, Ernesto has been recognized as a dedicated student at Teranga Academy, where he was well-liked by classmates and staff. The community’s outcry over his situation reflects a growing unease about the federal government’s enforcement practices and their impact on families and young people like Ernesto.
The lack of official comments from ICE regarding Ernesto’s detention and the reasons behind it has added to the community’s frustration and anxiety. As the situation evolves, advocates for immigrant rights continue to rally for Ernesto’s release and the protection of similar individuals, emphasizing the need for legislative changes to safeguard vulnerable populations from wrongful detainment and deportation.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 56 News
- Kentucky.com
- Bowling Green Daily News
- WKU Herald
- Wikipedia: Immigration enforcement in the United States
