The Intercept•1 day ago•

NYC Teen Deported After Secret ICE Detention in Hotels: A Shocking Revelation

CRIME

ice

deportation

immigration

nyc

hotels

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Summary:

15-year-old NYC high school student deported to Ecuador after secret ICE detention in hotels.
Days of isolation with no access to phones or internet; unable to seek help.
ICE used private hotels in Louisiana and Texas as detention facilities, contrasting with standard detention center practices.
Growing concern over the lack of transparency and the vulnerability of minors in ICE detention.
The case highlights the increasing use of hotels for ICE detention, raising serious rights concerns.

NYC Teen Deported After Secret ICE Detention in Hotels

A 15-year-old Manhattan high school student, Roger Iza, was deported to Ecuador after being secretly detained in Louisiana and Texas hotels by ICE. The ordeal involved days of isolation, with no access to phones or internet, preventing him from seeking help.

The Arrest and Detention

Roger and his father, Edison, were arrested at a routine ICE check-in on August 9th. They were swiftly transported to hotels in Louisiana and then Texas, where they were kept incommunicado.

"We couldn’t call or go on the web to ask for help," Roger said.

This contrasts sharply with the typical ICE detention center, which allows for phone calls and attorney access.

Roger's Life in NYC

Roger arrived in NYC two years prior, seeking asylum. He attended middle and high school, integrating well into his community and making friends. His sudden deportation shocked his classmates and teachers.

The Growing Trend of Hotel Detention

The use of hotels for ICE detention is increasingly prevalent, raising serious concerns about detainee rights and oversight. This case highlights the lack of transparency and the vulnerability of minors within the system. The Intercept reports on similar cases, where families have been held incommunicado in hotels.

The Aftermath

Roger and his father were deported to Ecuador on August 14th. His American friends and teachers are devastated by the abrupt separation and express deep concern for his future.

Source: The Intercept