Erasmo Z.A.: Grandfather who helped police probe daughter's killing held 45 days by ICE
Erasmo Zavala Almanza, 50, a grandfather who helped police investigate his daughter's fatal shooting, was detained by ICE despite a pending humanitarian visa. He was freed after 45 days and reunited with his family.
Apr 15, 2025Temple, PACountry of origin: Mexico

Erasmo Zavala Almanza, a 50-year-old undocumented Mexican immigrant, was arrested by ICE agents in April 2025 after cooperating with Berks County police in investigating the fatal shooting of his 20-year-old daughter and wounding of his granddaughter. Despite applying for a U visa with support from the District Attorney's Office and receiving a favorable bona fide determination from USCIS along with deferred action and work authorization, ICE detained him at Moshannon Valley Processing Center and initiated deportation proceedings. A federal judge intervened, and after 45 days in detention, Zavala was released and returned to his Berks County apartment, where he was reunited with his wife Maria, daughter, granddaughter Selene, and other family members. His case remains part of a broader legal dispute over ICE's policy of detaining crime victims and witnesses who have applied for humanitarian visas.
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- ICE arrests grandfather who helped cops investigate daughter’s murder
The Independent·May 19, 2026·archived copy
- A man who helped investigate his daughter’s killing is closer to staying in the U.S. But ICE is still keeping him in custody.
- How This Pa. Grandfather Made It Out of ICE Detention and Back to His Family
Explore Clarion·Jun 11, 2026
- Berks grandfather who aided investigation of his daughter’s murder gets win in ICE detention fight
Times Leader·May 24, 2026
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