News Summary
An 18-year-old graduate of Teranga Academy named Manuel-Andres has been detained by ICE, despite holding Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. Advocacy groups, including the Fugees Family, claim his detention lacks validity as he provided the necessary paperwork to ICE. This case has led to protests and fundraising efforts within the Bowling Green community, concerned about the implications of his detention and the treatment of immigrant youth. Local officials have voiced their support for Manuel-Andres, affirming the legality of his immigration status amidst ongoing scrutiny of ICE’s practices.
Bowling Green – An 18-year-old graduate of Teranga Academy, Manuel-Andres, has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), sparking significant outcry from the community and advocacy groups. Despite holding Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and Deferred Action from the Department of Homeland Security, which protects him from deportation, he was taken into custody under contentious circumstances that have raised numerous concerns about his legal status and treatment.
The Fugees Family, a nonprofit organization that advocates for refugee and immigrant youth, has come forward to assert that there was no valid reason for Manuel-Andres’ detention. The organization emphasizes that he had provided the necessary paperwork to ICE, demonstrating his legal right to remain in the United States. In fact, the Bowling Green Independent Schools have confirmed his recent graduation status, indicating that he had successfully completed his education.
Furthermore, the Fugees Family announced that the Department of Homeland Security has filed a motion to transfer Manuel-Andres’ immigration case to LaSalle Immigration Court, a venue known for its strictness and perceived punitive approach. If this motion is granted, there is a possibility that his scheduled bond hearing on June 18 could be canceled or delayed, significantly jeopardizing his chance for a fair legal process.
Manuel-Andres has been moved to several correctional facilities throughout the state, including Grayson County Jail, Laurel County Jail, and, most recently, the Richwood Correctional Center in Monroe, Louisiana. His legal team faced challenges trying to contact him, as his transfer between facilities hindered timely communication. It has been reported that he has no criminal record, pending charges, or any deportation orders against him.
The community in Bowling Green has rallied around Manuel-Andres, voicing their support through protests against ICE’s operations. Hundreds of individuals have also contributed to an online fundraiser aimed at covering his potential bond costs, which are estimated between $15,000 and $20,000. This shows a growing solidarity among residents who are concerned about the implications of his detention and ICE’s practices. Local officials, including Superintendent Gary Fields of Bowling Green Independent Schools, have expressed pride in Manuel-Andres and reaffirmed the legality of his immigration status.
Manuel-Andres’ yoga teacher at Teranga Academy described him as a dedicated and capable individual who is well-respected by both staff and students. This sentiment reflects the broader concerns within the community regarding the treatment of immigrant youth and the ongoing practices of ICE, which current reports indicate involve executing warrantless arrests—often affecting lawful residents and visa holders.
The Bowling Green Police Department and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office have stated they were not involved in the detention operation, further highlighting the controversial nature of the detainment. The Fugees Family, which has fought for the rights of immigrant youth for over two decades, asserts that cases like Manuel-Andres’ could happen to anyone, regardless of legal standing.
As community members continue to fight for Manuel-Andres’ freedom, the situation reflects broader issues surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States, particularly concerning vulnerable populations such as minors and young adults who have faced adversity.
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Additional Resources
- WNKY: Motion Filed to Move BG Graduate’s Case
- Wikipedia: Immigration Law of the United States
- BG Daily News: ICE Detains Local Teen
- Google Search: ICE Detention Legal Challenges
- WNKY: Teranga Academy Graduate in ICE Custody
- Google Scholar: Refugee Education
- Kentucky.com: Concerns About Immigrant Youth
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration
- WKU Herald: There Is No Shame in Being a Beginner
- Google News: Immigrant Rights
