He didnt break the law, said friend of 25-year-old Colombian now in ICE detention

ICE detained Jafet Santiago Diaz shortly after his asylum hearing in San Francisco on June 10, despite a judge scheduling his next court date. A federal prosecutor sought to dismiss Diaz's claim, but Judge Jeremiah Johnson denied the motion. Diaz, a Colombian national who identifies as gay, fled his home country due to death threats and articulated his fear of returning during the hearing. His friend Juan noted that Diaz adhered to immigration protocols and had no criminal record. Immigration advocates criticize the use of a new tactic that dismisses asylum claims to facilitate rapid detention and expulsion.

This strategy places asylum seekers at heightened risk, as they can be held indefinitely without bond. The backlog of approximately 3 million pending cases exacerbates the challenges faced by individuals like Diaz. Inside detention centers, connecting with family or legal support becomes significantly more difficult, raising concerns about the treatment of asylum seekers.