STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Just one month after completing his first year in the National Guard, Jesus says his life changed drastically.
His stepfather, a native of Mexico who came to America for a better life, was allegedly taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents as he was walking to work on Tuesday in Port Richmond.
“My stepfather — who has raised me for as long as I can remember and who I consider my true father — was taken into custody…Early that morning, my sister called me, hysterical, that my father was detained,” said the 22-year-old Port Richmond resident.
“In that moment, I felt shock, anger, and disbelief. How could this be happening to my father in the very same country I proudly serve?” added Jesus who requested to only be referred to by his first name.
In an exclusive interview with the Advance/SILive.com, Jesus said his father, whose name has been withheld due to the legal process, had never been convicted of a crime, so he was confused as to why he has been detained by ICE. He said he learned that ICE agents were allegedly “looking for someone else,” but picked up his father instead.
“I’m pretty upset, you know, because I’m serving my country proudly. I don’t have any regrets. If they asked me if I would do it again, I would. I’m proud to serve my country…I just want my father back; that’s all I want,” he said.
About his dad
Jesus said his father came to the U.S. to “better himself.” He met and fell in love with Jesus’s mother after arriving in the U.S.
“My mom already had me when she met my father, and he took me in as his son, and he’s been raising me ever since. I have a strong bond with him. Even though he’s not my blood, he’s still my father because he raised me. He took care of me, and he’s been with me ever since I can remember,” said Jesus.
“He’s made me into the man that I’ve become. He’s a really humble person. He doesn’t get into trouble; he has no criminal record. So this is really a strong hit for me because he hasn’t done anything,” he added.
Help from fellow soldiers
Upon learning her father was detained by ICE, Jesus’ youngest sister — who is a member of the JROTC at Port Richmond High School and also wants to serve in the U.S. Military — immediately jumped into action. She reached out to another soldier, who connected them with service member Yesenia Mata, executive director of La Colmena. The Port Richmond-based nonprofit has been offering services to immigrants in the asylum process, and has also been conducting ICE watches in the Port Richmond community where ICE activity has been reported over the last week.
“Both soldiers contacted understood the urgency of the situation—not only because we wear the same uniform, but because they are also children of immigrants. Their support reminded me of the bond we share as soldiers, and the deep understanding that comes from shared experiences,” said Jesus.
Mata noted that La Colmena is advocating on Jesus’s father’s behalf. Through the recently launched “Welcoming Staten Island Initiative,” a network of organizations are working to protect and inform immigrant families of ICE activity.
“We are seeing that the reality is that even if we have the right paperwork and are providing even the most compelling story, what’s happening is that people are still being deported,” she said. “We are here to let the public know what is happening. Because even if we file the correct paperwork, and do everything we can, ICE is not respecting anything, and they’re just deporting people.”
The Trump administration has said the purpose of the ramped up immigration enforcement is to rid the country of “criminals.” However, many deportees have no criminal record. According to the White House, ICE has deported nearly 200,000 undocumented immigrants, of which 47,885 were charged or convicted for assault; 16,552 with charges or convictions for sexual assaults and 2,699 with charges or convictions for homicides.
‘Emotionally overwhelming’ experience
Jesus said the experience has been “emotionally overwhelming,” but assistance from fellow soldiers is helping him through the process.
“The camaraderie from my fellow soldiers has made a tremendous difference. I am doing everything in my power to help my father,” he said.
“People often don’t realize how many immigrants and children of immigrants serve in uniform. I share my story to make visible what is too often overlooked: we are here, we serve proudly, and what is happening to the families of service members is not right,” added Jesus. “There have been documented cases of service members and veterans being detained or deported, and my family is now living that reality.”
Why he chose to serve
Jesus said he always wanted to give back to the country that gave so much to him.
“I have always been proud to serve. I wanted to better myself, and I thought joining the Army would really help me with that, and help me reach the goals I want in life,” he said.
Jesus said his father was so proud at his military graduation ceremony. “My whole family came to see me when I graduated last year in Atlanta, Georgia,” he said. “They were so proud.“
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