Thomas MacMillan Photo
A February protest on Islas’s behalf.
After concerted effort by activists and elected officials, New Haven’s Josemaria Islas prepared to walk out of a Massachusetts detention facility Friday afternoon, free from immigration enforcement custody for the first time in months.
Activists hailed the development as a victory in their fight to stop the deportation of the Mexican immigrant.
Islas still faces the possibility of deportation, as ordered by a federal immigration judge. That decision is under appeal.
Islas (pictured in a file photo from February) was arrested for an alleged robbery in July 2012. He was conditionally cleared of the charge after months in jail, but was then handed over to the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, under a program called Secure Communities.
ICE says Islas is a serial offender of immigration laws and should be sent back to Mexico. Supporters say he is a hardworking family man with no criminal record and should not be deported.
“As you know, we’ve been working for Josemaria’s freedom for months,” said Gregory Williams, a leader with Yale’s Seminarians for a Democratic Society, one of the immigrant-advocacy groups that has been rallying around Islas.
Williams said “community pressure” led to Islas’ ankle-bracelet release on Friday.
“In order to make the best use of limited detention resources, ICE has released Jose Islas-Gonzalez on electronic monitoring pending the outcome of removal proceedings,” said ICE spokesman Khaalid Walls.
“And I think it’s significant that they’re doing it on the same day that the TRUST Act is signed into law,” Williams said.
The law severely limits the state’s participation in the Secure Communities program. Gov. Dannel Malloy officially signed the law June 25 and Friday held a ceremonial signing.
Rep. Gary Holder-Winfield said passage of the bill means “some people will feel as though interactions with the law don’t necessarily mean they will be interacting with ICE.” He said he thinks it makes the community safer.
Williams said the TRUST Act is a direct result of Islas’ case and the activist response to it. “Unofficially, this really ought to be called the Josemaria Islas Act.”
Christine Stuart contributed reporting.