Bolivian asylum-seeker held 17 months despite torture protections, released after Ebola outbreak halts Congo deportation
May 29, 2026·Location: Iowa City, IA
Country of origin: Bolivia

José Yugar-Cruz, a 37-year-old Bolivian asylum-seeker, was granted temporary release from ICE custody on May 29, 2026, after an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo suspended deportations to that country. An immigration judge had ruled in January 2025 that Yugar-Cruz faced likely torture if returned to Bolivia and granted him withholding-of-removal relief under the Convention Against Torture, yet ICE detained him at an April 2026 check-in appointment and attempted to deport him to the DRC despite his court protection and lack of connection to that country. After being held for 17 months while ICE sought third countries willing to accept his deportation—including Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Mexico, and Canada—Yugar-Cruz challenged his indefinite detention in court in December 2025. The WHO declaration of an Ebola emergency in Congo on May 17, 2026, forced suspension of deportations to that destination, resulting in his temporary release following legal challenges and community advocacy.
Timeline
Sources
- CBS News
- The US has deported thousands to third countries. This must stop | James A Goldston and Natasha Arnpriester
The Guardian·May 28, 2026·archived copy
- José Yugar-Cruz granted temporary release from ICE custody as Ebola outbreak impedes third-country deportations to Congo - Little Village
littlevillagemag.com·May 29, 2026·archived copy
- Asylum-seeker’s planned deportation to Congo is halted, at least for now
- iowacapitaldispatch.com
- Iowa ICE detainee says he may be deported to Congo, a country he says he’s never lived in
cbs2iowa.com·Apr 30, 2026·archived copy
- US Quietly Deporting Thousands to Countries They've Never Been
- US attorney pursues effort to deport Bolivian man to Congo
KCRG·Apr 24, 2026·archived copy
- Judge clears ICE’s path to deport asylum-seeker from Iowa to Congo
KCRG·Apr 28, 2026·archived copy
- Bolivian man re-detained in Iowa as ICE looks to send immigrants to Congo
KCRG·Apr 8, 2026·archived copy
- JoCo advocates discuss pending deportation of Bolivian man to the Congo
- tribuneledgernews.com
- nonpareilonline.com
- No deportation date for Bolivian immigrant tabbed for Congo
- Iowa asylum seeker from Bolivia to be deported to war-torn Congo
iowastartingline.com·Apr 29, 2026·archived copy
- JoCo advocates oppose pending deportation of Bolivian man to the Congo — Spot On Iowa
- Bolivian man facing deportation to the Congo speaks following release from custody
KCRG·Jun 2, 2026·archived copy
- thegazette.com
More incidents in Iowa
- Iowa City mother detained by ICE, family disputes fake passport claimSep 24, 2026 · Iowa City, IA
- Venezuelan construction worker detained by ICE during routine check-in in Cedar RapidsAug 21, 2026 · Cedar Rapids, IA
- Salvadoran immigrant detained at ICE check-in after seven-year residency petition waitAug 4, 2026 · Cedar Rapids, IA
- South Sudanese woman held in Iowa jail by ICE ordered released by judgeJul 16, 2026 · Pottawattamie County, IA
- Guatemalan man detained by ICE after 10 years in U.S., judge orders bond hearingJul 15, 2026 · Clarion, IA
- Activist Annya Mari tackled and arrested by police outside ICE facility in Cedar RapidsJul 7, 2026 · Cedar Rapids, IA