After months of living in an ICE detention center in the state of Texas, a Hispanic boy who was graduated from the Roosevelt High School, located in Long Island, decided to self -portion to Guatemala, according to his lawyer.
Álvaro Castro Velásquez, a 19 -year -old Guatemalan young man who had been living in the town of Roosevelt for almost four years, was put under detention by the United States immigration and customs control service (ICE) at a traffic stop occurred in June, days after finishing his studies in high school. Castro had to attend his graduation ceremony at school on June 27.
The reason for his arrest was never explained, said his lawyer, Pallvi Babbar. He said Castro was briefly arrested in Nassau County before being transferred to a Texas detention center.
He added that Castro decided to self -ported earlier this week because “he was frustrated and trapped” at the detention center. If I had not chosen to do so and the government had deported it without its consent, Castro could not return to the United States for 10 years.
Castro arrived in the United States in 2022 to live with his brother in Roosevelt, since he has no living relatives in Guatemala. His mother died and his father is not involved in his life.
Although initially entered the country, he was granted the special youth immigrant status and deferred action, which protected him from deportation and gave him a path to legal residence, Babbar explained.
The lawyer said that Castro was working to obtain a permanent residence card, but the judge of Texas who carried him did not agree to suspend his deportation process because he still did not have a visa number.
“This is a farce because it was a minor and has the support of their entire community,” said Babbar. “I understand the objective of the administration of deporting gang members and criminals, but it is a child who came here in search of protection, and we are sending him back to a place where he has no support or resources.”
The Superintendent of the Roosevelt School District, Shawn Wightman, who described Castro Velásquez as a valuable and respected member of the educational community, said that the detention and deportation of his alumnus were “heartbreaking.”
“It’s not about politics,” said Wightman. “These are people, a student who won a place among his classmates and a community like Roosevelt who believes in education as a right and a way to a better future.”
“Returning to Guatemala after having been here for several years will be very, very difficult,” said Wightman. He pointed out that Castro’s arrest has caused “true pain and anxiety for the entire school community.”
Castro must leave the country before October 14, but Babbar said he is still finalizing the details of the exact date of his departure with ICE. He tried to organize the adolescent’s return to New York to say goodbye to his family, friends and classmates, but this does not seem like this to happen.
But that did not prevent Wightman from seeing his alumnus before he returned to Guatemala. The Superintendent traveled to Texas in July to see Castro and deliver his diploma, yearbook, Toga and Birrete.
“Our responsibility is to educate and nurture, not to arbitrate immigration laws,” said Wightman. «Its history reminds us that behind each political debate there are real human lives, especially young people with dreams and potential. I want all our students to know that they are seen, valued and supported, and that their effort matters ».
“I took the diploma, the toga, the Birrete and the yearbook of Álvaro to Texas because he wanted to demonstrate that his work and his achievements continue to import,” said the superintendent. Although ICE officials allowed the superintendent to enter the facilities to speak with Castro, they did not allow him to deliver his diploma.
Wightman said his student’s diploma remains in his office. He plans to visit Castro in Guatemala to deliver his graduation outfit, celebrate a small ceremony and explore options to support him since then.
«An high school diploma is more than a simple role. It is a symbol of perseverance and an achievement that nobody can take you once you succeed, ”said Wightman.
Wightman said Castro was very hardworking and had plans for the future. He commented that Castro had been talking about taking courses at Nassau Community College after graduating, wanted to start his own business, had worked part -time as Valet Parking in Franklin Square and participated in school music programs.
“What you really want is to work, get a well -paid job and go to college,” Wightman said. “He just wants to be a productive person, contribute to society and live a prosperous life like any other person.”
The Superintendent said that Castro Velásquez had “much support” in Roosevelt and that he would do everything possible to help him return to the United States later if he wanted.
“I don’t know what awaits him, but I know he has a lot of support here at Roosevelt,” Wightman said. “We are seeing how we can take advantage of that support for him there, or how we could help him return … here in New York.”
ICE did not respond to a request for comments.
