Freedom, for some immigrants arrested by ICE agents in New York, is literally not free.
Our sister publication, amNewYork, confirmed that several of those detained by this federal agency must pay thousands of dollars to be released — and also wear tracking devices, as if they were dangerous criminals, even though they have no criminal record.
An Ecuadorian man, who asked to remain anonymous while his immigration case continues, showed amNewYork the GPS monitor attached to his ankle as he stood next to his wife, Gloria.
That “partial freedom” cost the family $20,000, even though the man has no criminal record.
Gloria’s husband arrived to the United States from Ecuador in 2023. Thinking he was complying with the law, he went to an immigration appointment in Malta, New York. But instead of continuing his process, he was arrested by ICE and sent to a detention center in Batavia, where he spent a month.
Authorities then transported him through five states until Gloria managed to raise the $20,000 needed for his release, thanks to donations from the community. However, his departure was conditional on the constant use of an electronic shackle.
In the American criminal justice system, such measures are usually applied only to those accused of serious crimes, such as members of organized crime. Gloria and her husband do not understand why he—and other immigrants in his situation—should be monitored in this way.
“I haven’t killed anyone to use this. It’s uncomfortable. We’re not doing anything wrong to have this shackle. It cost us so much money; I don’t understand why they treat us like this,” the man said, with tears in his eyes.
He also recalled how difficult the process was:
“The judge told me to return with the evidence in 2027. I complied with everything, I attended the hearings, I handed in the papers and they told me that they were of no use. They gave us food, of course, because we have to eat. But someone who has done nothing in this country does not deserve that treatment. And the bail was too high.”
A disproportionate bail for someone with no record
Immigration attorney Nneka Jackson explained that bail bonds are a normal procedure to ensure that a person returns to court. However, amounts as high as those in this case are unusual for someone with no criminal record. According to Jackson, many judges are raising bail rates for fear of government retaliation.
“Paying bail is normal. But paying $20,000 without having a criminal history or a flight risk is excessive,” Jackson said. “Many judges are afraid of losing their jobs, so they set high bail so as not to upset the administration.”
Gloria recounted the legal, emotional and financial ordeal she experienced to free her husband. He had to ask acquaintances for help, but many refused out of fear.
“Filing a bail motion is difficult; you need a lot of documents. And nowadays, almost no one wants to get involved. Some told me: ‘I don’t know him, what if something happens? I have to protect my family,'” he said.
Jackson added that while bail bonds are common, he had only seen the use of electronic shackles during the Trump administration.
“Before this administration, none of my clients had to wear monitors. Now many judges impose them to prevent the Department of Homeland Security from appealing their bail,” he explained.
During the interview with amNewYork, the Ecuadorian man held his wife’s hand, visibly nervous about the possibility of being detained by ICE again. He constantly looked around and spoke with a trembling voice.
“I’m afraid to speak because my case is still open. I only trust in God. He has the last word,” he concluded.
