“Finally – some good news! Tonight a federal judge ordered the release of Pablo Villavicencio from Immigration and Customs Enforcement Detention (ICE) detention, which will pave the way for him to secure valid immigration status. I am so happy for his family, especially his wife Sandra and his daughters Luciana and Antonia. I know this has been beyond painful for all of them. Frankly, this has also been painful for all of us New Yorkers who care about justice and our status as a sanctuary city. What happened to Pablo was inhumane. This decision rights an incredible wrong, and sends a clear message to President Trump that the rule of law still applies. I want to thank Judge Paul A. Crotty of the United States District Court – Southern District of New York for being a check on the Trump Administration. I also want to thank The Legal Aid Society, especially Jennifer Williams who represented Pablo in court, and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP for their tireless work on this case. I also want to thank advocates like Make the Road New York and New York Immigration Coalition. Council Members Justin Brannan and Carlos Menchaca helped bring this case to the forefront, and I’m incredibly proud of their leadership. This is a great day for New York.”

 

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