The Detainment of Ernesto Manuel-Andres
Over the course of three weeks, I followed the story of Ernesto Manuel-Andres, an 18-year-old Guatemalan native who was illegally detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on June 4, 2025 in Bowling Green, Ky.
Manuel-Andres has lived in Bowling Green for over two years and graduated from the Teranga Academy, an english learning academy for refugees and immigrants, just weeks before he was detained. He currently has two pieces of legal documentation permitting his residence in the U.S., including Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and Deferred Action. The teen was taken from his apartment complex even though he presented his documentation to the ICE agents before his detainment.
After his arrest, he was transfered to three different detention centers over five days and ended up in Louisiana. Fugees Family, a immigrant and refugee advocacy organization founded by Luma Mufleh, became a close advocate for the teen throughout his detainment.
Manuel-Andres' bond hearing was moved from Indianapolis to La Salle, La. after request from the Department of Homeland Security. Even with appeals from his lawyers, the case stayed in Louisiana. Manuel-Andres' bond was set at $1,500 by a federal jusge on June 23, but DHS appealed and Manuel-Andres was expected to stay in custody for up to 30 days.
On June 24, Manuel-Andres was released from custody after DHS failed to meet the one-day appeal deadline. On June 25, he was welcomed home by his community that did everything in their power to bring him back.
