A 16-year-old Bronx high school student, Joel Camas, was detained by ICE during a scheduled check-in in Lower Manhattan, stirring concerns among immigrant communities and legal advocates. CBS News New York reported that Camas, an Ecuadorian immigrant, showed up early Thursday morning for the appointment, which his legal representatives from The Door believed would be a swift process that wouldn't cause him to miss much school.
Camas was living with relatives in the Bronx following his mother's recent return to Ecuador to avoid arrest, his family court had previously determined that remaining in the U.S. was in his best interest, granted that he held a special immigrant juvenile status, but despite the perceived protection, ICE agents placed him in custody, now being held at a facility for minors. Beth Baltimore, director of legal services for The Door, highlighted the constant changes faced by migrants, which is a stark reality under the current administration’s policies, "Every day is just, there's another terrifying thing that's happening," Baltimore said, and the uncertainty makes stability for young immigrants like Joel even more elusive, as reported by CBS News New York.
According to The City, Joel and his mother had originally sought asylum in the U.S. due to gang violence in Ecuador, without legal representation, their asylum application was unsuccessful, which led to a removal order by an immigration judge in February 2024; however, Joel was granted protection in family court in April. This did little to prevent ICE's actions during his mandatory check-in, stoking fear and confusion over the safety of his status in the country.
Amid the turbulence of his situation, a Habeas petition has been filed by the Civil Liberties Union and the organization representing Joel, they aim for his release and a cessation of the removal order to ensure he can stay in school and continue his journey towards lawful permanent residence. "What is going to happen to my son? Right now, there's a lot of violence here and I don't want him to come back to that ... Right now, I have no work," expressed Joel's mother, Elvia Chafla, in a statement obtained by CBS News New York, voicing the dire situation awaiting her son if deported to Ecuador.
