Bronx student released after 10 months in ICE custody
Dylan Lopez Contreras, 20, was arrested in a lower Manhattan courthouse after attending a mandatory immigration hearing last May.
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The NYLAG confirmed that Dylan Lopez Contreras, 20, was released from Moshannon Valley Processing Center, the Pennsylvania ICE facility where he has been held for the last 10 months.
Dylan Lopez Contreras, 20, was arrested in a lower Manhattan courthouse after attending a mandatory immigration hearing last May.
Contreras, who is from Venezuela, is a student at Ellis Prep High School in Marble Hill. He was the first New York City public school student detained by ICE.
A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security stated, "Dylan Josue Lopez Contreras, a 21-year-old illegal alien from Venezuela who illegally entered the U.S. under the Biden administration, has been released with a GPS tracking device. ICE arrested him on May 21, 2025, and placed him in removal proceedings. He will receive full due process. If a judge finds he has no right to remain in the U.S., he will be swiftly removed."
Since arriving in the U.S., the 20-year-old enrolled at Ellis Prep, a NYC public school for immigrant students who have recently come to the U.S. within the last year and are working to learn English.
"All glory and honor belong to God, who opened doors and made the impossible possible," said his mother, Raiza Contreras. "I am grateful to everyone who, in one way or another, played a part in offering support and strength, and were always there. Very soon, my son will be back with his siblings and me—it is both a relief and a blessing."
Back in September, a judge denied his claim for asylum and upheld the ruling for him to be deported.
Mayor Mamdani released a statement, saying in part, "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."
