Velazquez v. Kurzdorfer

The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York (PLS), and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights filed an urgent preliminary injunction on behalf of Oliver Mata Velazquez, a 19-year-old who was illegally arrested and detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents when appearing for a scheduled court hearing in Buffalo. Despite entering the United States legally, having no criminal history, and complying with all government orders, ICE detained Oliver, and attempted to deny him access to immigration court by fast tracking his deportation. After Oliver spent more than a month in detention, the court granted his motion for a preliminary injunction and ordered his release.