The City of New York has offered support to a 16-year-old student from Gotham Collaborative High School who was detained following a routine immigration check-in. The student, E.J.C.C., has been supported by the city through the filing of an amicus brief seeking his immediate release. E.J.C.C. is noted for having a 100 percent attendance record and is recognized as a committed and responsible student.
Mayor Eric Adams, supporting the young student's petition for justice, stated, "Our public schools should be safe, nurturing places where any child can get the best education and the tools they need to succeed." E.J.C.C. was detained on October 23, and, as per the Mayor's office, the city's actions express concern about the detainment of public school students in similar situations.
New York City Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant highlighted the potential harm caused by what is described as an unnecessary detainment, stating, "The unnecessary detainment of children who pose no flight or safety risk causes irreparable harm to their schooling and to the educational system as a whole," as reported by the Mayor's office. The brief filed with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York strongly opposes the detention, arguing that a child like E.J.C.C., who has been living with family and poses no apparent risk, should not be removed from his community.
The case against the detainment of E.J.C.C. highlights the delay in 'prompt' action, as required by law, with the student having already missed three weeks of class. "Only his immediate release can prevent further harm," the brief argues. It also critiques the federal government's actions, stating that if the intent was to deport the student, it could have informed him and allowed for legal challenges while keeping him under the care of his family and school, suggesting a preference for a less disruptive and more humane approach, as stated by the Mayor's office.
The city's support is not new, as New York has taken similar legal actions for other students, like Dylan Lopez Contreras, Jose Luis, and Derlis Snaider, who were arrested after immigration hearings. The city remains focused on protecting the rights and education of immigrant minors, consistent with its commitment to providing free education to all children, regardless of their immigration status.
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