UPDATE: Student, Wilbur Cross High School Junior, 'Picked Up By ICE,' Being Held In MA Detention Center: NHPS

NEW HAVEN, CT — A "rising junior" at Wilbur Cross High School was taken by ICE agents last week, school and city officials confirmed.

The student was taken by ICE while working at a job in another town, Patch learned.

Mayor Justin Elicker and Superintendent Madeline Negrón released a joint statement on Monday.

"We have learned that Esdras R. of New Haven, a rising junior at Wilbur Cross High School, was picked up during an ICE enforcement action at his workplace. This action was taken Monday, July 21. Esdras is being held at a detention center in Massachusetts," Negrón and Elicker said.

"The city and the school district are working with community organizations Unidad Latina en Accion (ULA) and Connecticut Students for a Dream (C4D) to learn what we can about what happened and to engage legal support on Esdras’ behalf. Esdras’ teachers are writing letters of support for him. We will provide whatever support we can to Esdras and to his friends and teachers in the school community," Negrón and Elicker said.

"By all accounts, Esdras is a hardworking student and a fine young man – for ICE to detain such a high school student is unconscionable. For further information about this matter, we suggest contacting the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement," Negrón and Elicker said.

An online campaign by CT Students For A Dream to raise money for his legal costs and basic needs while detained has more than $5,000 pledged to date.

From CT Students For A Dream Facebook group:

Esdras, a rising junior at Wilbur Cross High School, was detained by ICE on July 21 while at work. He’s a role model, orchestra member, and dedicated student. He deserves to be in school — not detention.

JOIN US: Press Conference & Rally to Support Esdras
Wednesday, July 30th
3 PM
Wilbur Cross High School, 181 Mitchell Drive, New Haven.

Help fund Esdrás’s legal defense and advocacy efforts. Every dollar makes a difference.
https://giving.classy.org/campaign/710739/donate

Stand with students, educators, and community members demanding freedom, dignity, and justice for Esdras — and for all immigrants. NHFT - New Haven Federation of Teachers ,Connecticut For All, Unidad Latina en Acción - ULA

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