By rssfeeds-admin BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (FOX 56) — Advocates for immigrants’ rights shared videos and photos of protesters in Bowling Green calling for the safe return of a teen who was allegedly taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
On June 12, Fugees Family, an Ohio nonprofit advocating for justice for immigrant and refugee students, posted video footage on Facebook of activists in Bowling Green protesting for the safe return of Ernesto Manuel-Andres, 18.
“Bring Ernesto home!” The crowd could be heard chanting in the video.
Luma Mufleh, CEO and founder of Fugees Family, said Ernesto was allegedly detained by ICE just three weeks after graduating from high school.
Advocates for Ernesto’s safe return argued that he was legally authorized to be in the U.S. through Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status—a legal designation granted to youth who have survived abandonment, neglect, or abuse.
“He also has Deferred Action from the Department of Homeland Security, which legally protects him from deportation,” Mufleh wrote.
Ernesto was allegedly moved three times in five days, most recently to Monroe, Louisiana, according to the leaders of Fugees Family.
Mufleh said he set up a GoFundMe to pay Ernesto’s bond and help his family fight to bring him back home.
Organizers of the fundraiser said any repaid funds will be used to support other refugee and immigrant students in the Fugees Family community.
“We will be fully transparent with how these funds are used,” the GoFundMe reads. “Give what you can. Share this widely. Help us bring Ernesto home.”
FOX 56 has reached out to ICE for comment and is waiting to hear back.
Ernesto’s GoFundMe, which has reached nearly $28,000 of its $30,000 goal, can be found here.
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