GREAT NEWS! Edward Alonso Castillo, ill father from QNS is released from ICE detention!
His release follows multiple urgent requests by our legal & organizing teams over the past month, along w/ the support of ~1,000 community members who signed the petition to #FreeAlonso! /1
His release follows multiple urgent requests by our legal & organizing teams over the past month, along w/ the support of ~1,000 community members who signed the petition to #FreeAlonso! /1
The long delay in Alonso’s release was alarming because he is not a priority for ICE enforcement under the new memoranda put out months ago by the Biden Administration, yet ICE’s New York Field Office refused to release him. /2
During his detention, Alonso was rushed to the hospital for emergency care twice, and his unit at Orange County Jail was placed in medical quarantine lockdown for 14 days due to suspected COVID-19 cases in the facility. /3
Although Alonso was eventually moved from the affected unit, his release became even more urgent because his underlying conditions placed him at high risk of severe complications if he was to contract COVID-19. /4
Despite this, ICE’s New York Field Office denied his release on March 10 and reversed course only after the case was elevated through a new ICE internal review process. /5
In addition, on March 9, Alonso won his asylum reasonable fear review before an immigration judge. The decision allows Alonso to continue to fight his removal proceedings and prevents ICE from deporting him until his proceedings are complete. /6
Alonso can now continue working with his legal team while seeking the medical care he needs. On Friday afternoon, he was reunited with his partner Rocio and family. /7
Edward Alonso Castillo, said, “I am so happy to be back home with my family. While detained, my health was deteriorating and I knew that they could not give me the care that I needed." /8
"Every day, I worried about my health and I did not know if I was going to be able to see my family again. I’m so thankful for the incredible support I received for my release. Now, I am home with my family and I am able to get the proper medical attention that I need.” /9
Alonso is a long-time Queens resident and co-owner of a family business on Long Island. During the height of the pandemic, Alonso donated food from his business to essential workers across Long Island, incl. hospitals. He gave free food to immigrants in Queens. /END
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