Detained LI Bagel Shop Manager Will Not Get Immediately Deported: Report

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — Fernando Mejia, the bagel shop manager from Port Washington, who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents last month, will not be immediately deported, according to Newsday.

Mejia, a fixture in the community, has worked at Shmear Bagel and Cafe for several years.

Patch attempted to reach Mejia's lawyer Bryan Pu-Folkes to confirm.

In the days since Meija was taken into custody by ICE, Congressman Tom Suozzi sent President Trump a letter, pointing out that the arrest "devastated the Port Washington community."

A rally was held on June 21 with approximately 100 people standing in support of Mejia, including Nassau Legislator Delia DeRiggi Whitton.

"The recent outpouring of support for Mr. Mejia is yet another sign that Long Island will not stand for this chaos," New York Attorney General Letitia James said.

But as ICE activities increase in Nassau County, James said she was "very concerned" about the arrest.

"This administration’s targeting of immigrants is destabilizing our communities, uprooting our neighbors and friends, and making New Yorkers less safe," James said.

Patch attempted to get an update from ICE regarding Mejia's status. However, on June 23, the federal agency said, in part, in a statement that Mejia was "identified as a fugitive alien with a final order of removal. ICE arrested him and transported him to an ICE processing facility in Central Islip. U.S. immigration laws allow aliens to pursue relief from removal; however, once they have exhausted all due process and appeals, the aliens remain subject to a final order of removal and ICE must carry out that order."

Jeff Siegel, who organized the rally on Mejia's behalf, said "[He's] just a nice, friendly guy."