On Wednesday morning, March 18, 2026, New York high school student Dylan Lopez Contreras was released from ICE detention. He has been in custody since May of last year after being detained outside a scheduled court hearing at the 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan.
Contreras came to the US in 2024 after fleeing Venezuela with his family. He entered the country legally after being granted Special Immigration Juvenile Status. The then-20-year-old was enrolled as a freshman at Ellis Prep Academy, a high school in the Bronx that specializes in classes for immigrant students considered too old to enroll in traditional schools.
Despite this, the Department of Homeland Security claimed that Contreras was in the country illegally, attempting to justify his arrest. Contreras’ case has been described as a turning point for ICE tactics, as he was one of the first NY students to be detained at a courthouse while leaving a hearing. Many have voiced their disapproval of this method, calling it a “trap” and a punishment for trying to gain immigration status through legal channels.
After being detained, Contreras was held at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Pennsylvania. He turned 21 while at the facility and described the living conditions in a letter to the Guardian. Contreras expressed how the guards mistreated and were racist towards detainees. He described his average day as monotonous and the struggle of being with so many people, who oftentimes would get upset over the smallest things, “like snoring or leaving a small piece of trash somewhere”.
Following his release, Contreras said, “I still can’t believe that I’m out”. Contreras’ mother, Raiza, expressed immense gratitude “to everyone who, in one way or another, played a part in offering support and strength”.
She also said, “Very soon, my son will be back with his siblings and me—it is both a relief and a blessing”.
Mayor Mamdani also responded to the good news, writing in a social media post, “Our city is overjoyed that Dylan has finally been released from detention and will be back home with his loved ones in the Bronx”.
He continued, “Throughout this injustice, Dylan has shown remarkable strength, resilience, and courage. I wish him a smooth and joyful return to his life, his community, and his future here in New York City. He is a New Yorker, and our city is glad to have him home”.
