HOUSTON \u2013 Daniel Tirado Pantoja is back with his family after being released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody \u2014 but his legal battle is far from over.<\/p>\n
The League of United Latin American Citizens, known as LULAC, shared a statement from Tirado Pantoja\u2019s family following his release. The family said they waited 51 days for the moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile our hearts remain full today, they remain heavy for Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and (his family),\u201d the statement read, according to LULAC.<\/p>\n
In the first moments back in society, Tirado Pantoja was seen wearing a face mask, T-shirt and sweatpants while carrying a plastic bag \u2014 reunited once again with his family and his dog.<\/p>\n
Background on the Canal Street shooting<\/p>\n
In July, Tirado Pantoja was one of three men inside a van with Lorenzo Salgado Araujo when Salgado Araujo was allegedly shot and killed by an immigration agent on Canal Street.<\/p>\n
Since then, Tirado Pantoja is one of two men released from ICE custody. Victor Salgado Araujo, the brother of Lorenzo, remains in custody.<\/p>\n
Deportation threat, upcoming hearing loom<\/p>\n
Despite his release, Tirado Pantoja\u2019s attorney says ICE still intends to deport him. He has an immigration hearing scheduled in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n
Immigration attorney Kerry Doyle spoke about what her client will need going forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s going to need all his family, and support, and I\u2019m hopeful that we are going to be able to access some professional support as well, because he has been through such trauma, and he\u2019s a hard-working family man, he just really wanted to be there for his family, and somehow he\u2019s been thrown into this terrible situation,\u201d Doyle said.<\/p>\n
ICE detention by the numbers<\/p>\n
Tirado Pantoja was among more than 65,000 people detained by ICE in July, according to TRAC Immigration reporting<\/a>.<\/p>\n Reports show 70% of those detained did not have a previous criminal record beyond entering the country without legal status.<\/p>\n Immigration attorney Raed Gonzalez says the Department of Homeland Security is detaining taxpayers and hardworking people.<\/p>\n