Thomas MacMillan Photo
After trying to deport him for nearly a year, a federal immigration agency suddenly decided to let Josemaria Islas stay in the country, for at least a year.
Islas (pictured at a February rally), a New Havener who was born in Mexico, was arrested in July 2012 on a robbery charge. He was cleared of the crime, but handed over to federal immigration authorities before he could walk free. Since then, the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency has been seeking to deport him to Mexico.
Islas’ case became a rallying point for immigration activists and advocates. He earned the support of U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro and U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy and Dick Blumenthal, who all wrote letters on his behalf.
In July, ICE allowed Islas to leave government custody, with an ankle bracelet monitoring his movements.
In August, the government removed Islas’ ankle bracelet, according to immigration activist Megan Fountain. Islas then discovered that he’d been granted a “discretionary relief.” He’s allowed to stay in the country for a year, which started on July 19.
“After careful reconsideration of all the factors addressed in your request for a Stay of Deportation or Removal, it has been determined that the granting of such discretionary relief is warranted in this case. Therefore, your application for a Stay of Deportation or Removal is hereby approved for a period of one year,” wrote ICE Acting Field Officer Director Sean Gallagher, in a letter to Islas.