Cleon Williams, the \u201cUncle Lou\u201d of Uncle Lou\u2019s Entertainment Hall, will voluntarily leave the U.S. rather than further contest an immigration judge\u2019s Monday order for his removal.<\/p>\n
The Orlando music stalwart\u2019s decision to \u201cself-deport\u201d to his native Jamaica ends his highly-publicized bid to stay in the country. His attorney said Williams is \u201cmoving forward with dignity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Undercover agents with the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, or ABT, arrested Williams on May 9<\/a> during an investigation into illegal liquor sales at his Mills District venue.<\/p>\n Williams, who arrived in the U.S, 1987 on a since-expired temporary worker\u2019s visa, was charged with a second-degree misdemeanor, which is typically handled without an arrest. The Orlando Police Department instead took him to jail, where he was booked on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer request.<\/p>\n Days after his arrest, a federal judge rejected his bid for release<\/a> despite concerns over a weeklong delay in handing him over<\/a> to immigration authorities. By that time, he was in ICE custody at the Baker County Detention Center in Macclenny.<\/p>\n The ruling struck a fatal blow to his ultimate chances at remaining in the U.S., as an immigration judge ruled he was not eligible for a bond that would have freed him while his case proceeded.<\/p>\n His attorney, Phillip Arroyo, said in a lengthy statement lat Tuesday that Williams was left \u201cwith few viable paths forward.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhile this decision was not made lightly, Mr. Williams is at peace with his choice and is focused on moving forward with dignity,\u201d Arroyo said. \u201c\u2026 Mr. Williams leaves with the love and support of his family and the Orlando community. We remain hopeful that he will one day be able to return to the United States when this dark chapter in our country\u2019s history finally comes to an end.\u201d<\/p>\n Known colloquially as self-deportation, a voluntary departure rather an official removal makes it easier for Williams to return in the future.<\/p>\n The misdemeanor case is ongoing in Orange County court as of Wednesday. It remains unclear what prompted authorities to target Uncle Lou\u2019s Entertainment Hall.<\/p>\n