ICE has once again come under fire in New York for another questionable arrest, this time targeting a 20-year-old high school student from the Bronx. Dylan, a student at Ellis Prep and an asylum seeker from Venezuela, attended a court hearing in Lower Manhattan hoping to take a step forward in his case. Instead, he was detained by ICE officials who claimed his presence in the U.S. was unlawful. Despite having no criminal record and following the legal process to seek asylum, he was arrested on the spot. The incident has sparked outrage across New York, raising serious concerns about the treatment of immigrants and the role of ICE in the city.
ICE insists that Dylan is an “illegal alien” and says he will be removed from the country. But many find this stance completely absurd, especially given that Dylan entered the U.S. under legal asylum policies that were in place at the time. His arrest has sparked outrage from immigration advocates, legal experts, and fellow students.
His mother is especially distraught. She is deeply worried about his health, noting that Dylan has been suffering from stomach issues and has not received proper medical attention while in ICE custody. Instead of stabilizing him, they have moved him from one detention center to another in a matter of days, leaving him in limbo and without care.
Back at Ellis Prep, his classmates are shaken. Some of them are immigrants too, and Dylan’s sudden arrest has left them feeling anxious and unsafe. What happened to him has made it painfully clear that even students who follow the rules can find themselves suddenly at risk.
Many internet users couldn’t believe what had happened to Dylan. Outrage quickly spread across social media, with countless people criticizing ICE’s actions. One user bluntly said, “America is a dystopian nightmare.”
Another user mocked ICE for going after poor, defenseless students instead of focusing on dangerous criminals who actually pose a threat. One Redditor summed it up sharply:
“Tracking down violent criminals and gang members is difficult. And confronting them is dangerous. You know what’s easy? And safe? Tracking down and confronting people who are productive members of society and tried to engage with the archaic system of legal immigration in the United States.”
Others turned their attention toward New York City Mayor Eric Adams, expressing frustration over his lack of involvement in the case. The mayor claimed he couldn’t intervene, stating that the city had to be extremely careful due to legal constraints.
That explanation didn’t sit well with many. One Redditor pointed out, “Unfortunately, Eric Adams is not unique. ICE is extremely active in Massachusetts, and aside from a few, most politicians are walking on eggshells when discussing this topic.”
