Dylan Lopez Contreras, the first NYC high school student detained by ICE under Donald Trump’s second administration, returned home Thursday to Lower Manhattan, where local elected officials greeted him enthusiastically and advocates celebrated in tears after fighting 10 months for his freedom.
The celebration took place at the Middle Collegiate Church in the East Village, where Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani came to greet the young man and his mother, Raiza Contreras.
Contreras shared a brief, emotional moment with his mother as speakers spoke of his freedom; They both hugged each other with tears in their eyes.
Although he can now return to school and continue his pending asylum case, authorities placed an ankle monitor on him to be tracked by the Department of Homeland Security. Even so, despite everything he has experienced, Contreras assured that his greatest concern continues to be those who remain detained by ICE.
“I want to thank everyone who does not forget the people who are still there. Because, although I am happy to be free, I am also sad because there are people who are still unjustly detained and deserve to be free,” Contreras said with the help of a translator. “I wish I could have brought them all with me.”
With tears in her eyes, his mother also thanked those who advocated for her son’s release.
“I thank everyone who has supported us in every aspect,” said Raiza Contreras. “I don’t have words to express it.”
Mayor to Dylan Lopez Contreras: ‘We are very grateful that you are home’
Mamdani regretted the time the family lost and reaffirmed that New York will always be their home.
“He was detained for almost a year and they took away what belonged to him. Because, above all, Dylan is a New Yorker. He belongs to this city; this city missed him,” Mamdani said, addressing the young man. “We are so grateful you are home.”
Bronx resident Dylan Lopez Contreras entered the United States legally and obtained Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. He attended ELLIS Preparatory Academy and obtained work authorization to help his mother.
But on May 21, 2025, ICE agents detained him inside the 290 Broadway building while he was seeking asylum after leaving a hearing. Masked officers arrested him outside the courthouse, something his family and legal team consider an unjust detention.
The Department of Homeland Security maintains that the 20-year-old entered the country illegally in April 2024, a claim his lawyers and supporters reject. His legal representatives insist that he entered legally, requested asylum on time and complied with all judicial requirements.
A federal judge ordered his deportation last September, but his lawyers appealed the ruling.
Finally, on March 18, Contreras gained the freedom he and his family fought for for months when he left the ICE processing center in Moshannon Valley, Pennsylvania. This occurred after pressure from activists and politicians such as Senator Chuck Schumer and Governor Hochul.
On Thursday, the governor celebrated the family reunion and criticized outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who oversaw ICE policies under the Trump administration.
“I feel grateful and hopeful that now that the Kristi Noem-fueled climate of terror is over, we can begin to see some sense. I recently spoke in person with Tom Homan and gave him the names of high school students I wanted released. Dylan was at the top of that list,” Hochul said.
“Embrace this young man, an example of bravery and resilience; he never gave up, and his mother was extraordinary,” he added.
