Dylan Lopez Contreras, the first high school student detained by ICE in New York, released after nearly 10 months

"On May 21, 2025, Dylan Lopez Contreras, a 20-year-old Venezuelan (now 21), went to immigration court in New York for a routine hearing, but ended up being handcuffed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) inside the courtroom. He became the first high school student in the state detained under the tactic of arresting someone during a hearing."

"Without legal representation, Dylan was tricked by immigration judge Edward Grogan and the government prosecutor into dismissing his asylum claim, which led to his immediate arrest. Judge Grogan retired shortly after that decision. Another judge, Olivia Cassin, later ruled that Grogan's decision was erroneous and deeply prejudicial, effectively condemning the legal basis that led to his detention."

"Lopez Contreras entered the country legally through the now-defunct CBP One program in 2024. He has no criminal record, enrolled at Ellis Preparatory Academy in the Bronx, obtained a work permit, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)."

Dylan Lopez Contreras, a Venezuelan immigrant who entered legally through the CBP One program in 2024, was arrested by ICE during a routine immigration court hearing in May 2025. Without legal representation, he was deceived into dismissing his asylum claim by immigration judge Edward Grogan and a government prosecutor, resulting in immediate detention at Moshannon Valley Detention Center in Pennsylvania. After nearly ten months, he was released on parole in March 2026 with an ankle monitor. Judge Olivia Cassin later ruled that Grogan's decision was erroneous and deeply prejudicial. His case gained attention when his mother was invited by Senator Chuck Schumer to the State of the Union address to exemplify immigration authority violations.

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