Breaking: Statement from New York Legal Assistance Group Announcing Dylan Contreras’ Release from ICE Detention

NYLAG represents Contreras in his immigration case

NEW YORK - Early Wednesday, detained Bronx high school student Dylan Contreras was released from Moshannon Valley Processing Center, the Pennsylvania ICE facility where he was unjustly imprisoned for nearly 10 months following his highly-publicized courthouse arrest outside a scheduled immigration hearing at 26 Federal Plaza in New York City in late May.

"We are overjoyed that Dylan is finally able to return home, where he should have been for the last nearly 10 months he's spent unjustly detained for simply following the rules," said Kate Fetrow, associate supervising attorney in New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)'s Special Litigation Unit, and a member of Dylan's legal team. "Nothing can undo the injustice of denying Dylan even a modicum of due process, stealing his liberty and personal autonomy, and snatching away the precious time, education and experiences he's been forced to miss for nearly a year of his young life. His release today is a momentous step in the right direction as we continue to fight to restore justice for Dylan and his family."

"Dylan's legal team and all those who have supported him are deeply grateful to finally secure his release and bring Dylan back home to his family and community," said Melissa Chua, director of New York Legal Assistance Group's Immigrant Protection Unit. "We want to thank Sen. Schumer, Mayor Mamdani, and the many elected officials who have offered their unwavering advocacy and vocal support over the past year. As legal advocates, we know all too well just how many more people are still out there, remain unjustly detained, risk separation from loved ones, or spend each day living in fear and uncertainty under this current political climate. That is why we remain committed to fighting day after day on behalf of Dylan and so many others like him to restore justice by keeping families together and upholding the rights of all people, regardless of immigration status."

"Thank God Dylan Contreras is coming home. He will soon be back in New York reunited with his mother Raiza, his family, and the Bronx community that loves him. I sat with Raiza as she cried in my office the night of the State of the Union and told her I would do everything in my power to help bring her son home, and I am thrilled they are together once again," said U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer. "Dylan did everything right, he entered legally, worked to support his family and enrolled in school, and he should have never been detained like this. I am glad the administration has heeded my calls and righted this wrong, but there are many more families like Dylan's that have been torn apart because of ICE. The chaos experienced by so many communities and families at the hands of ICE must end."

"All glory and honor belong to God, who opened doors and made the impossible possible," said Raiza Contreras, Dylan's mother. "I am grateful to everyone who, in one way or another, played a part in offering support and strength, and were always there. Very soon, my son will be back with his siblings and me-it is both a relief and a blessing."

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