ICE to release Venezuelan man seeking to give his brother kidney transplant
CHICAGO (WGN) – A man trying to give his brother a life-saving kidney transplant is set to be released after spending the last month in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Attorneys received a call on Wednesday morning informing them that 43-year-old Jose Gregorio Gonzalez would be released from custody after spending the last month at the Clay County Detention Center in Brazil, Ind., just west of Indianapolis.
Gonzalez had been detained by ICE after he accompanied his brother, Jose Alfredo Gonzalez, to a kidney dialysis appointment.
Gonzalez had served as his brother’s caregiver since coming to the U.S. from Venezuela one year ago and was being monitored by immigration officials after being released on humanitarian parole.
The brothers had upcoming appointments at the University of Illinois Hospital to discuss the next steps in the transplant process. Even if he was not a match for his brother, Gonzalez could donate his kidney to someone else through an organ-swap program, and his brother could move up the list to get an organ in return.
After being detained last month, lawyers filed for a stay of removal, which was denied.
On Monday, advocates rallied on his behalf, holding a vigil calling for his release.
Advocates with the Resurrection Project also said Gonzalez is willing to return to Venezuela after the life-saving operation and are grateful that he will be able to stay in the country for now.
"The result that we’re seeing is because of community, it's because of organizing, it's because people came together to demand what is right, what is just, that a man can save his brother's life and live safely with his family and that’s the power of what we can do when we come together as a community," Tovia Siegel, director of organizing and leadership for immigrant justice for the Resurrection Project, said.
ICE did not provide details on the terms or length of the release, only that it is an alternative to detention, meaning Gonzalez will likely be under some kind of monitoring.
Attorneys on Wednesday said they do not know exactly when Gonzalez would be released, but they expected it in the coming days.