Student detained from workplace in New Haven, Connecticut

  Minara Helen: A New Haven school student was detained by ICE, authorities have confirmed. 18-year-old Esdras R. of New Haven who was heading to his junior year at Wilbur Cross High School was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at a car wash where he worked on July 21st. He is now being held at a Massachusetts detention center. “From what I understand, he had no disciplinary issues at the school, a good student, and we heard he was picked up at a car wash by ICE,” said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker. “If the young person had no issues whatsoever, it’s just deplorable that ICE decided to pick up a young kid and deport them. Imagine any person, cops show up and take you out of your life. It would be terrifying for an adult, but an 18 year old kid, part of our community.” Elicker says the teen was picked up by ICE about two weeks ago. The mayor and New Haven Public Schools described the teen as a hard working student and a fine young man. The mayor did not say what country the teen is originally from, or how long he’s been in the U.S. In a joint statement New Haven officials and Superintendent Madeline Negrón said the city and the school district is working with community organizations like Unidad Latina en Accion and Connecticut Students for a Dream to learn more about what happened and to make sure he has legal support. “What world are we in right now when ICE picks up a mom in front of her two children as she’s going to school, to bring them to school, and now ICE is picking up a junior in high school, deporting them, its just shocking,” expressed Mayor Elicker. Wilbur Cross High School teachers are also writing letters of support for him. City and school officials emphasized that they are providing support to Esdras, to his friends and his teachers in the school community. “Esdras is a hard working student and a fine young man – for ICE to detain such an 18-year-old is unconscionable." New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker and Superintendent Madeline Negrón “As a community, we’re going to do everything we can to support Esdras. Work is being done at Wilbur Cross HS, in collaboration with our partner organizations, to see how we can support him. My understanding is one of the advocacy organizations spoke with him on the phone from the detention center he’s at now, and we’ll do our best to support him.” No further details were released. [Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.] BP/CS