Venezuelan father's bid for release from ICE custody denied by federal court
Feb 23, 2026·Location: Wentzville, MO
Country of origin: Venezuela

Jorfrank Lugo, a Venezuelan father of two young children detained by ICE on February 23, 2026 during a routine check-in appointment, filed a habeas corpus petition seeking his release. On April 29, 2026, a federal district court in Missouri denied the petition, ruling that he is subject to mandatory detention under federal law and that his continued custody during removal proceedings does not violate his due process rights. He and his wife Daniela remain asylum applicants, and his removal proceedings are now underway. His detention has left his wife, who cares full-time for their two young children, without their family's sole source of income while she tries to fund his legal defense.
Sources
More incidents in Missouri
- Mother of four, University of Iowa custodian, detained by ICE, facing deportationSep 22, 2026 · Florissant, MO
- Woman with deferred action detained by ICE despite no criminal recordSep 21, 2026 · Greenwood, MO
- Afghan ex-military interpreter and green card holder detained by ICE on terrorism allegationsSep 14, 2026 · St. Louis County, MO
- Salvadoran TPS holder packs up desk as her decades-long protection nears expirationSep 8, 2026 · Marshall, MO
- Afghan man who aided U.S. troops detained by ICESep 7, 2026 · Maryland Heights, MO
- Father detained during traffic stop while working, family seeks his returnAug 21, 2026 · Independence, MO