Kidney transplant recipient detained by ICE, denied anti-rejection medication for weeks
Feb 19, 2026·Location: Rochester, MN
Country of origin: Dominican Republic

Javier Abreu-Vasquez (also referred to as Javier Ubreu), a 38-year-old kidney transplant recipient from the Dominican Republic with legal status in the U.S., was arrested by ICE agents in Rochester, Minnesota on February 5 while delivering groceries for his church's mutual aid group after officers rammed his car and broke a window. He was transferred to a facility in El Paso, Texas, where he faced delays and reportedly incorrect dosages of the immunosuppressant medication needed to prevent rejection of his donated kidney. His wife and Minnesota state Rep. Kim Hicks attempted to deliver his medication to federal authorities but were initially turned away. After intervention from Senator Tina Smith's office and Mayo Clinic physicians, he gained access to medication, and a federal judge ordered his release on bond. His attorney confirmed he has no prior criminal convictions. He returned home to Rochester on February 19 after roughly two weeks in custody, with next steps in his immigration case unclear.
Timeline
Sources
- Kidney transplant recipient is back home in Minnesota after two weeks in ICE custody
amp.mprnews.org·Feb 19, 2026·archived copy
mprnews.org·Feb 19, 2026·archived copy
- Transplant recipient back home after ICE detainment
KTTC·Feb 20, 2026·archived copy
- Kidney recipient arrested by ICE in Rochester last week still isn't getting needed medications
mprnews.org·Feb 6, 2026·archived copy
- Kidney recipient detained by ICE still hasn't received life-saving medications
mprnews.org·Feb 8, 2026·archived copy
- ICE detains transplant recipient without medication, agency says he now has access
KTTC·Feb 7, 2026·archived copy
- Mayo Clinic Intervenes After ICE Detention Gave Wrong Anti‑Rejection Doses To Kidney Recipient; Judge Orders Release - Transplant News
transplantnews.com·Feb 25, 2026·archived copy
- Federal agents arrested kidney transplant without medication, official says
independent.co.uk·Feb 7, 2026·archived copy
- Kidney transplant recipient in ICE custody is finally getting meds, wife and attorney say
mprnews.org·Feb 9, 2026·archived copy
- Rochester kidney transplant recipient detained by ICE returning to Minnesota
postbulletin.com·Feb 19, 2026·archived copy
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