Bronx food pantry rallies behind founder after he was detained by ICE
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Aleksander Nijal was detained by ICE on Monday, October 13.
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Days after a Bronx food pantry founder was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, community members and pantry volunteers are fighting for his return.
Aleksander Nijal is the founder and president of the Open Hand Association Food Pantry on Lydig Avenue in the Bronx. He was detained by ICE on Monday when he attended a court hearing.
"It was the saddest thing ever. What he did for this community for the past 14 years. He made sure that people in need had food on their tables for their families. Every day, every afternoon, regardless of what time it was," said Saimir Burgaj, Chairman of the Open Hand pantry.
The pantry serves anywhere between 7,000 and 8,000 people each month.
News 12 reached out to the Department of Homeland Security to ask about the detainment of Nilaj.
"On October 13, 2026, ICE arrested Aleksander Nilaj, an illegal alien from Albania. He legally entered the U.S. on a temporary basis on October 1, 2006 and illegally overstayed his lawful admittance in violation of our laws. He received due process and was ordered removed by an immigration judge on July 22, 2008. This administration will not ignore the rule of law.
We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $3,000 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return," a DHS spokesperson wrote in a statement.
On Thursday, pantry employees and community members stood on Lydig Avenue asking people to sign a petition pleading for Aleksander's return.
"He and his family need us the most right now. We ask for everybody. If you ever went through this before and you know what this is like, come to 821 Lydig. Come fight with us," said Jasmare Chaplin, administrative director and treasurer of Open Hand.
The pantry said it will not be distributing food until Nijal's return, because they cannot handle the workload without him. They said if he does not return, the pantry will close indefinitely.
