VICTORY: 16-Year-Old Illegally Arrested During ICE Check-In Can Remain with Family

NEW YORK – In a victory for due process, the New York Civil Liberties Union and The Door’s Legal Services Center secured an agreement with the government to dismiss E.J.C.C. v Joyce — the case involving a 16-year-old Bronx high schooler who U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) illegally arrested and detained when appearing for a mandatory, routine ICE check-in last October. The teenager, Joel, received deferred action in April for four years, which makes him eligible for work authorization and ensures he will remain in the United States during this time period.

“While it’s an enormous relief that Joel is free and with his family, friends, and loved ones, the government should have never arrested him,” said Elizabeth Gyori, senior staff attorney at the New York Civil Liberties Union. “His arrest at a required ICE check-in was breathtakingly cruel and a clear violation of U.S. law and the Constitution. All children — no matter their immigration status — deserve safety and dignity, not the Trump regime’s weaponization of the legal system to separate families.”

“Joel should never have been torn from his community and placed in detention,” said Beth Baltimore, deputy director of The Door’s Legal Services Center. “We are seeing relentless attacks against youth with SIJ status on all fronts. At The Door, we will continue to stand with and support young New Yorkers impacted by the cruelty of the immigration system.”

“This outcome represents more than a legal resolution,” said Kelsey Louie, chief executive officer of The Door. “It means stability, safety, and the ability for Joel to move forward with greater peace of mind and possibility for his future. We are deeply grateful to the community of advocates, attorneys, supporters, and caring adults who stood alongside him throughout this process. At The Door, we believe every young person deserves not only legal representation, but the opportunity to build a life with dignity, connection, and hope. We are proud to have walked alongside Joel every step of the way.”

Today’s action follows months of litigation. In October of 2025, after ICE agents ambushed and arrested Joel at his immigration check-in appointment in Lower Manhattan, the NYCLU and the Door filed an emergency habeas petition and complaint asking the court for his immediate release and to prevent his removal from the country while he pursues a pathway to permanent residency, and eventually citizenship. The court then granted Joel’s release on November 17, 2025. Until this receipt of deferred action, Joel’s future in the United States had been unclear.

In the second Trump administration, ICE officers have arrested thousands of children across the nation. These children include Dylan, another high schooler from the Bronx who ICE arrested when attending a routine court date, another student in New York City, and even a 6 year old. Data from the Deportation Data Project shows that over 6,000 children have been detained by ICE since President Trump took office.