Federal immigration agents detained a 20-year-old Venezuelan migrant who had been attending a Bronx high school, according to officials – a move that drew the ire of schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested an Ellis Prep Academy student identified only as Dylan on May 21 when he showed up for a mandatory immigration court hearing, chalkbeat.com reported.
“It seems like a dirty game on their part,” Raiza, Dylan’s mother, told Chalkbeat.
“When someone appears in front of a judge, it’s because they don’t have any criminal record, they want to do the right thing,” she told the outlet. “The only thing he wants is to study.”
Dylan had graduated high school in Venezuela but was looking to improve his English and prepare for college at the academy, which is a school for English language learners and older students, the outlet said.
He had been living with his mother and two younger siblings, who also fled Venezuela, the report said.
Dylan had turned himself in at the US border in April 2024, applying for asylum through the temporary protected status program initiated by the Biden Administration. The Trump administration has since scrapped that program after President Trump campaigned on cracking down on illegal immigration.
The courts have blocked or ruled against some deportations that are enforced without adequate notice or due process but the repeal of temporary protected status remains in effect.
Chancellor Aviles-Ramos called out the detention.
“New York City Public Schools stands firmly with our students, including our immigrant students, and our schools will always be safe spaces for them,” the chancellor said in a statement.
“Our hearts go out to the student who was detained by ICE, and we are deeply saddened for their family. While this incident did not occur on school grounds, we want to reassure our families: we will continue to speak out and advocate for the safety, dignity, and rights of all of our students.”
Aviles-Ramos said the city public school system will support “every child and family — regardless of immigration status” and “we encourage families to continue to send their children to school.”
Asked for comment, a rep for Mayor Eric Adam said city law enforcement authorities play no role in civil immigration enforcement – only criminal activity, adding that “the chancellor’s statement speaks for our entire administration.”
ICE had no immediate comment.
