Following news that a New York City high-school student attending English Language Learners and International Support Preparatory Academy (ELLIS) in Marble Hill, was detained by U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials when he reportedly appeared at a Manhattan courthouse for a routine hearing on May 20, we reached out to ICE and asked what offense, if any, the student had been charged with, and where he was currently being held.

 

The student is named “Dylan” in a media report by Chalkbeat. We paid a visit to the student’s school on Wednesday, May 28. However, we were unable to reach anyone for comment. In response to our request, our questions were not answered and we received the following statement which we were informed was issued by DHS, and attributable to a DHS official.

 

“Dylan [..] is an illegal alien from Venezuela who illegally entered the U.S. more than one year ago. Under the Biden administration, he was encountered at the border and released into the country. On May 21, 2025, [He] was arrested and placed in expedited removal proceedings.” Norwood News is withholding Dylan’s surname in line with his family’s wishes, though it was provided by DHS.

The statement continued, “Most aliens who illegally entered the United States within the past two years are subject to expedited removals. Biden ignored this legal fact and chose to release millions of illegal aliens, including violent criminals, into the country with a notice to appear before an immigration judge. ICE is now following the law and placing these illegal aliens in expedited removal, as they always should have been.”

 

It concluded, “If individuals have a valid credible fear claim, they will continue in immigration proceedings, but if no valid claim is found, aliens will be subject to a swift deportation. ICE takes its commitment to promoting safe, secure, humane environments for those in our custody very seriously. It is a longstanding practice to provide comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody.”

 

Several Bronx elected officials had already condemned Dylan’s detainment and had been calling for his release. Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said of the incident, “Dylan did everything right. He enrolled in school in our Borough and got his license to obtain a delivery job to take care of his younger siblings. It is outrageous and horrible to learn he was detained by federal authorities last week during a court appearance. This is unacceptable and nothing short of an injustice.”

 

She continued, “We demand accountability for Dylan, who has been separated from his family and school community. We must also protect our immigrant families who are being unfairly targeted and exploited by this administration by calling for a full investigation into this incident, so this injustice does not happen to any other member of our community.”

 

Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15), who represents a large section of The Bronx stretching from the Northwest to the South, said, “I’m outraged by the detention of my constituent Dylan, a 20-year-old student and legal U.S. entrant with no criminal record. He worked, studied, and helped lift his family from homelessness. His detention is unjust. The Bronx deserves answers.” Torres also wrote to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem on May 28 (attached below) demanding answers.

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said of the case, “Bring Dylan home. We stand with his family and the ELLIS Prep community in demanding that ICE release Dylan, who is a caring brother and son, and a student with dreams of college. ICE wants to play cowardly tricks on New Yorkers. We won’t stand for it.”

 

Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos said New York City Public Schools stood firmly with its students, including its immigrant students. “Our schools will always be safe spaces for them. Our hearts go out to the student who was detained by ICE, and we are deeply saddened for their family,” she said.

 

Meanwhile, Democratic mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani said, “Trump’s ICE is now kidnapping New York City high school students. This is where Eric Adams’ silence and complicity has led us. Free Dylan now.”

 

As previously reported, immigrants have rights, and most local elected officials have pamphlets available at their offices which are free to obtain, and which explain those rights in various languages. We will share any further updates we receive on Dylan’s case.

As reported, a rally was held outside Tweed Courthouse in Manhattan on Thursday, May 29, calling for the release of Dylan from ICE detention. It was organized by the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) and various other partners, including but not limited too United Federation of Teachers (UFT), labor groups, Bronx Defenders, City Council Members, including Eric Dinowitz, Carmen de La Rosa, Ruth Messinger, former Manhattan Borough President and co-chair of the board, Interfaith Center of NY, Power Malu, president of compassion and Candice Braun, chief empathy officer at Artists Athletes Activists/ROCC NYC. At least one member of the Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition was also seen at the Manhattan rally. More to follow.

 

According to the NYIC, earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a memo listing 36 states with counties and cities that have sanctuary policies. Included on that list were 12 cities and 15 counties in New York State. The memo warned that each jurisdiction would receive a notice of non-compliance and be required to review and revise its policies to align with federal immigration law.

 

NYIC officials said this latest action by DHS and the Trump administration was “clearly designed to intimidate local and state leaders.” They said Sanctuary policies are already in compliance with federal law. They said immigration policies may be changed by congress or the president, but those immigration laws do not change the constitution nor the rights that states, counties, and cities have to enact their own laws.

 

They said last week, the Department of Justice attempted to sue four cities in neighboring New Jersey, Newark, Paterson, Jersey City, and Hoboken, over their sanctuary policies, and that all four cities released statements asserting that they were already in compliance with the law.

Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of NYIC, said in response, “This memo marks yet one more attempt by the Trump administration to coerce states and counties to surrender their Constitutional rights to enact the policies they see fit to protect their residents. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not have the authority to dictate local and state law.”

 

He added, “While this weaponization of the DHS presents a new low for our democracy, we call on New York cities and counties targeted in this memo to stand up to the intimidation and also plainly state the facts: our jurisdictions are in full compliance with the law; cities with sanctuary policies have lower crime rates, and no changes are needed or wanted. We must stand together to affirm the values and integrity of the U.S. Constitution and each state and locality’s rights to pass policies that best promote the safety of all their residents.”

 

For more on this topic, click here, here here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.