On May 21, 2025, Dylan, a 20-year-old Venezuelan student, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as he left an immigration hearing in Manhattan.
Dylan, who attended Ellis Preparatory Academy in the Bronx, had entered the United States legally in April 2024 through the CBP One program and was in the process of applying for asylum. His arrest has generated a wave of protests and has ignited debate about ICE’s current practices in the immigration courts.
Context of the arrest
Dylan, a Venezuelan student, went to his scheduled appointment at the immigration court without legal representation.
During the hearing, he inadvertently waived certain legal protections.
This facilitated his immediate arrest by plainclothes ICE agents as he exited the building.
This incident was interpreted by immigrant rights advocates as a tactic to discourage attendance at court hearings.
Reactions and protests
The arrest of Dylan, a Venezuelan student, sparked a protest led by the New York Immigrant Coalition and several elected officials in front of the courthouse where the arrest occurred.
Congressman Ritchie Torres noted that Dylan “entered the U.S. legally, has no criminal record and has done everything possible to educate himself, work and support his family.”
His arrest has sparked a wave of protests
New York Attorney General Letitia James called ICE’s action “despicable” and stressed that this was a young man simply seeking a better future.
Concerns about ICE practices
The case of Dylan, a Venezuelan student, is not isolated.
Since January 2025, ICE has intensified immigration court detainers.
A practice that has been criticized by civil rights advocates as a violation of due process.
The presence of ICE agents in immigration courts generates fear among immigrants, who fear that they will be arrested while complying with their legal obligations.
Despite his detention, this Venezuelan student has the support of the New York Legal Assistance Group, which has taken on his legal defense.
Organizations such as the New York Immigrant Coalition are working to provide legal assistance to immigrants in similar situations.
It is essential that immigrants know their rights and seek legal advice before attending immigration hearings.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
