Photos and videos available here
Livestream is available here & here
New York, NY—Today, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), ROCC-NYC, elected officials, allies, and immigrant New Yorkers rallied and held a press conference at Middle Church to welcome Dylan home to New York City.
Yesterday, New York City high school student Dylan was released from Moshannon Valley ICE Processing Center in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania. Dylan was kidnapped by ICE at a court hearing at 290 Broadway in Manhattan on May 21, 2025. He was the first high school student in New York City known to be abducted by ICE since Donald Trump came back to office.
“All New York families belong together. Nearly a year after Dylan was tricked and disappeared by ICE – and shipped to a detention center far away from his family and support system – Dylan is finally home. Dylan is a student, worker, and beloved son. Dylan is a New Yorker. Dylan, his family, and his community at ELLIS Prep high school will now get back to their lives. But while this is a step towards justice, Dylan will never get back the time he unjustly spent behind bars. Elected officials in New York must take action to make sure that we do not remain complicit in other New Yorkers being torn from their families. Albany must pass New York For All immediately to ensure that our local resources are not used to terrorize our communities and deport our neighbors,” said Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition.
“Earlier this month, I met with Tom Homan to make an appeal for ICE and federal law enforcement to focus on real threats and to stop the attacks on law-abiding people who call New York home. As part of this meeting I urged the release of Dylan Lopez Contreras, a young public school student who was unjustly taken by federal immigration agents last year. Today, after ten long, painful months in ICE detention, Dylan is finally being reunited with his family. While I am relieved that Dylan has been released, we cannot stop here. The federal government must work with New York to return all those who have been wrongfully taken and separated from their families,” said New York State Governor Kathy Hochul.
“Our City is overjoyed that Dylan has finally been released from detention and will be back home with his loved ones in the Bronx. What should have been a time for him to focus on finishing high school instead became ten long months of isolation, after he was taken into custody at what was supposed to be a routine immigration hearing last May. Throughout this injustice, Dylan has shown remarkable strength, resilience, and courage. I wish him a smooth and joyful return to his life, his community, and his future here in New York City. He is a New Yorker, and our city is glad to have him home,” said NYC Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani.
“Dylan is home, and that’s exactly where he should have been all along. Detaining a high school student for 10 months without cause is outrageous. He was robbed of time, stability, and a sense of safety that no young person should ever lose. We are grateful to every advocate and elected leader involved for their relentless advocacy in bringing him home. Today we celebrate, but we also recommit ourselves to fighting for every New Yorker’s right to due process and dignity,” said NYC Council Speaker Julie Menin, District 5.
“We are all deeply relieved that Dylan is finally home with us here in New York City. Dylan had been doing everything right: attending school, showing up to his court dates, and supporting his family, and he should never have been subjected to 10 months of detention. His case underscores the real harm caused when individuals are detained while complying with the legal process, undermining trust and creating fear in our communities. New York City remains committed to ensuring that immigrant New Yorkers can access education, services, and legal support without fear. While today is a real celebration, Dylan’s case is not over. We will continue to stand with him and his family and work to ensure that immigrant New Yorkers are treated with dignity and fairness at every stage of the process,” said Faiza N. Ali, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.
“I am so relieved to know that, after almost a year of unjust hardship, Dylan is safe at home with his family. Nothing can undo the grief his family has suffered, but his freedom is a gift to his community at a time when so many New Yorkers face similar injustices. Dylan is a student who was trying to follow the right process, but nonetheless was kidnapped by ICE agents. Many New Yorkers are still suffering in detention, but not all of them have access to legal representation. In our city budget this year, we must baseline the legal services funding the City Council passed last year, and NY State must pass New York for All. Now is the time to stand up for immigrant New Yorkers in any way we can. We can prevent senseless violence,” said Council Member Alexa Avilés, District 38.
“Dylan’s legal team and all those who have supported him are deeply grateful to finally secure his release and bring Dylan back home to his family and community. We want to thank Sen. Schumer, Mayor Mamdani, and the many elected officials who have offered their unwavering advocacy and vocal support over the past year. As legal advocates, we know all too well just how many more people are still out there, remain unjustly detained, risk separation from loved ones, or spend each day living in fear and uncertainty under this current political climate. That is why we remain committed to fighting day after day on behalf of Dylan and so many others like him to restore justice by keeping families together and upholding the rights of all people, regardless of immigration status,” said Melissa Chua, Director of Immigrant Protection Unit, New York Legal Assistance Group.
“Dylan's life was unjustly interrupted by no fault of his own by a broken immigration system that tore him from his family. Dylan is an exceptional human. His extraordinary grit, fortitude and resilience in the face of this horrific situation have inspired us all. ROCC NYC is humbled by the trust Dylan has in us and thankful for our incredible community of volunteers, partners and supporters. Today felt like a giant hug for Dylan from NYC and we are grateful to every single person who helped Free Dylan. Por Fin,” said Power Malu and Candice Braun, Co-Directors, ROCC NYC.