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, Contreras was arrested and placed in expedited removal proceedings.” Norwood News is withholding Dylan’s surname, though it was provided by DHS, in line with his family’s wishes.

 

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.”

 

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.”

 

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.

 

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