STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Some members of the Staten Island community banded together at the office of La Colmena in Port Richmond on Thursday to show support for a National Guardsman who says his stepfather is being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Tuesday.
Just over 30 people were in attendance at the press conference organized by La Colmena, a nonprofit organization that works with low-wage immigrant workers on Staten Island.
Among attendees was Jesus, a 22-year-old National Guardsman and Port Richmond resident, who says his stepfather, also named Jesus, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents around 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday near Castleton and Heberton avenues in Port Richmond.
The National Guardsman, who was born in the U.S., did not reveal his last name at the press conference out of concern for repercussions with the National Guard. When asked by the press at the conference, Yesenia Mata, executive director of La Colmena, refused to release the stepfather’s full name, citing advice from attorneys pending his immigration battle.
Yesenia Mata, executive director for La Colmena, speaks at a press conference in which Jesus, a local National Guard soldier, spoke about the alleged detainment of his stepfather during a press conference at La Colmena Center in Port Richmond on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.(Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)
Although the family says the stepfather, 41, has no criminal history, he is an undocumented immigrant. According to the younger Jesus, his stepfather, who he considers his “true father,” came to the U.S. from Oaxaca, Mexico, in the early 2000s.
“I share my story to highlight a truth that is often overlooked,” the National Guardsman said. “Immigrants and children of immigrants serve this nation with pride and honor, yet our families are still under threat.”
“Many families are being separated and many will continue being separated and I know the pain they will go through,” he added. “This is not right. All I want is for my father to come home, I just want my family together.”
The elder Jesus, who works in construction, was on his way to work Tuesday morning when he was picked up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.
Jesus, a local National Guard soldier, spoke about the allege detainment of his stepfather during a press conference at La Colmena Center in Port Richmond on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.(Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)
The family was then connected with Mata, a service member herself.
“Soldiers should not be worried about their families being detained, being kidnapped by ICE,” Mata said. “Soldiers take an oath to the Constitution and to be able to serve this country and that should be our focus, that should be their focus. It’s not for them to be focused on their family members being detained and that is what happened on Tuesday. And this is why La Colmena wanted to highlight this story today (Thursday), we wanted to showcase what is happening here on Staten Island and to those soldiers that are currently serving and their families.”
Jesus has been able to communicate with his stepfather at least once since his detention. According to him, his stepfather expressed that he is both “surprised and scared.”
Jesus (right), a local National Guard soldier, spoke about the allege detainment of his stepfather during a press conference at La Colmena Center in Port Richmond on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.(Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)
The elder Jesus has legal representation and upcoming court dates, Mata explained.
Jesus has also received support from members of the community, some of whom were in attendance at Thursday’s press conference.
“The actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Port Richmond are not contributing to public safety, they are degrading our public safety,” Rev. Karen Pershing, representing the Staten Island Inter-religious leadership coalition, said. ”It’s resulting in our loved ones, our community members feeling like they can’t leave their home and go to Mass, they can’t worship God, they can’t get health services, they can’t get their medicine, they can’t report to the police if a crime has been committed against them. I don’t want my friends and my community members to live in that kind of fear.”
Despite the situation his stepfather faces, Jesus expressed he has no regrets joining the National Guard as this country has done so much for him.
“I’m still proud to serve my country and if I had another lifetime to do it – I would do it all over again, you know? All I just want is my father back and my family together,” Jesus stated.
The Advance/SILive.com reached out to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for confirmation of detainment and comment, but had yet to hear back at the time of publication.
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