ICE has detained this high schooler for 10 months. Here’s what he and his classmates want you to know
Key Takeaways
- Dylan López Contreras, a 20‑year‑old freshman at Ellis Prep Academy in the Bronx, was detained by ICE in May and has been held at the Moshannon Valley ICE processing center in Pennsylvania for about 10 months.
- It has been reported that, according to his lawyers, he may be the first New York public school student detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after a routine immigration‑court appearance.
- Classmates at Ellis Prep — a school serving newly arrived students — documented the impact on their lives and on Dylan, describing detention conditions, disruption to education, and fear of attending court.
- The case highlights broader problems: long immigration‑court backlogs, courtroom arrests by ICE, and the chilling effect on students and families who must choose between pursuing relief and risking detention.
What happened
Dylan López Contreras, a 20‑year‑old freshman at Ellis Prep academy in the Bronx, disappeared from class after being taken into custody by ICE at a routine immigration‑court hearing in May. He has been held at the Moshannon Valley ICE processing center in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania ever since. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the federal agency that detains and deports non‑citizens; immigration courts are run by the Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). It has been reported that, according to his lawyers, Dylan was the first New York public school student detained by ICE — a claim that has drawn attention to courtroom arrests and their consequences for students.
Life in detention and student response
From inside detention, Dylan described cramped, noisy conditions, racialized mistreatment allegedly by guards, and the psychological toll that makes some detainees seek “self‑deportation” just to escape prolonged uncertainty. His classmates at Ellis Prep — many of them recently arrived to the US and navigating language, schoolwork and family responsibilities — used disposable cameras, drawings and writing to document their grief, anger and solidarity. One student told the Guardian “It was a shock,” and others have been rallying support and trying to keep schoolwork and college plans on track while fearing the same fate.
Why it matters now
This case matters beyond one student. Immigration court backlogs mean people often wait months or years for final decisions, and arrests at hearings can deter people from showing up to court or seeking relief. For students, the immediate harms are clear: interrupted education, lost opportunities for college or work authorization, and severe mental‑health impacts on classmates and families. Practically speaking, detained respondents have limited access to counsel; securing an immigration attorney or legal aid early is critical, and bond hearings or release on recognizance may be possible depending on one’s case and custody status.
What does this mean if you’re in a similar situation? Attend scheduled hearings but consult legal counsel beforehand about risks and safety plans; know that ICE can and does conduct arrests at or near courthouses; and document requests for representation. The Ellis Prep students’ project is a reminder that policy choices about enforcement affect children and young adults trying to build lives here — and that courtroom procedures can turn routine appointments into family separations.
Source: Original Article