PAIFUP celebrates the release of Client X. Client X was detained by an Erie, PA police officer. Based on appearance, this was an unlawful traffic stop. At the time, X was driving himself and 2 of his friends. The officer held all 3 until an ICE van arrived. They were sent to an ICE station where they were questioned for about eight hours. 

They were then locked up in the county prison for 5 days. Afterwards they were sent to the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, an ICE detention facility. Casa San Jose from Pittsburgh were made aware of this pick up and referred the individual to PAIFUP. Client X did not have a criminal record and during the bond hearing the Judge recognized that it was an unlawful arrest. The judge then granted bond for $3,000 which allowed X to be released.

In July 2023, L was detained by DHS at Moshannon Valley, after criminal charges were filed against him. He retained private counsel, who withdrew on the day of his master calendar hearing. L was then ordered removed that same day, after the Judge denied his request for a continuance to seek new counsel. This removal order came even after L told the Judge that he was engaged and intended to marry a United States Citizen.

Despite this, the Judge did not afford him any time to seek counsel to discuss his options, even though his case had only been opened two weeks prior. L contacted our office and we entered an appeal on his behalf. That appeal was denied and a Motion to Reopen his case remains pending at this time. In the meantime, L married his wife, who filed an I-130 on his behalf. After a release request was made to ERO, all criminal charges filed against him were dismissed. On March 20, L was released to his wife. We will continue to advocate for L and are grateful that he is reunited with his loved ones after spending 9 months in detention.