Mexican national detained by ICE after 29 years in US challenges mandatory detention
May 15, 2026·Location: Newark, NJ
Country of origin: Mexico
A Mexican national who has resided in the United States since approximately 1997 was arrested by ICE agents on May 15, 2026, while entering his residence after walking his dogs. He is the father of one U.S. citizen son, age 20, who is autistic and currently resides in Mexico, and has U.S. citizen nephews and nieces in the United States. He is a skilled electrician with no criminal convictions and no history of violence or criminal conduct during his nearly three decades of U.S. residence. He was seized without a warrant, without notice, and without an opportunity to contact counsel, and transferred directly to ICE custody at Delaney Hall Detention Facility in New Jersey, where he has been held since May 15, 2026. A Notice to Appear was issued on or about May 20, 2026, initiating removal proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review. He filed a habeas corpus petition seeking immediate release from custody or an individualized bond hearing, arguing his detention violates his Fifth Amendment due process rights and is arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act.
Sources
More incidents in New Jersey
- Congresswoman faces appeal deadline over charges tied to ICE facility protest, days after giving birthOct 6, 2026 · Newark, NJ
- Nurse thrown to ground by ICE agent outside NJ detention center, seeks $500,000Oct 6, 2026 · Newark, NJ
- Officials clash with ICE at Newark detention center amid hunger strike, mayor arrestedOct 5, 2026 · Newark, NJ
- Three men detained in ICE sweep near Morristown church, alarming schoolchildrenSep 25, 2026 · Morristown, NJ
- Father detained by ICE at bus stop in Freehold, New JerseySep 23, 2026 · Freehold, NJ
- Man hit by car during ICE pursuit in Jersey City; agent also struck, officials saySep 23, 2026 · Jersey City, NJ