With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Appeals Court Lifts Deportation Order For L.A. Father Detained By ICE
Romulo Avelica-Gonzalez and two of his daughters. (Photo courtesy of NDLON)
()
On Thursday afternoon, the country's top immigration appeals court vacated the deportation order for Romulo Avelica-Gonzalez, a Los Angeles father who was arrested by federal immigration authorities while dropping his daughters off at school in February.
Avelica-Gonzalez's arrest by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officials was filmed by his sobbing daughter; the video went viral, bringing international attention to his case. The 49-year-old father of four U.S. citizen children had faced imminent deportation after a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals stay that had previously been in place expired on Monday. The Board of Immigration Appeals, however, granted Avelica-Gonzalez an emergency stay of deportation on Monday, which protected him from being deported until they reviewed his case.
On Thursday, the board elected to throw out the final deportation order that had been in place for Avelica-Gonzalez, meaning his case will return to local immigration court—a process that could take years. Avelica-Gonzalez has been detained at the Adelanto Detention Facility in the high desert near Victorville since his February arrest. He will be eligible for release on bond at his next hearing on August 30.
Avelica-Gonzalez's family is "very relieved and very excited" about the news, according to Ricardo Mireles, executive director of Academia Avance, a charter school in Highland Park attended by two of Avelica-Gonzalez's daughters. "Obviously, they'd like for him to be released today, but the hearing is set for August 30th and we're ready to keep pushing the message for another two weeks," Mireles told LAist.
Support for LAist comes from
"These five months have felt like five years,” Avelica-Gonzalez told the L.A. Times in an interview from Adelanto last Friday.
Previously: This Is What It's Like When A Father Of 4 Is Detained By ICE While Dropping His Daughters Off At School
Why Is The City Attorney Taking A Harsh Stance Against An L.A. Father Fighting Deportation?
Decades-Old Criminal Case Against Father Detained By ICE Settled, Paving Way For His Potential Release From Detention
Father Detained By ICE While Dropping Daughter At School Could Be Deported Next Week
L.A. Father Romulo Avelica-Gonzalez Granted Temporary Stay Of Removal
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
Best of LAist