In brief
Jose Contreras-Cervantes, a 33-year-old father of three and undocumented immigrant, has been detained since August following a traffic stop. Diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, his family and the ACLU are pushing for a bond hearing that would allow him to receive proper medical care while remaining with his family in Michigan. The ACLU's ongoing petition highlights concerns over prolonged detention without sufficient medical attention, part of policies instituted during the previous administration.
DETROIT (AP) — Federal authorities have denied the release of Jose Contreras-Cervantes, a Michigan man with life-threatening leukemia, as he awaits a decision on his deportation case. In custody since August, Contreras-Cervantes's access to consistent healthcare has come under scrutiny, according to his lawyer from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan.
The ACLU is calling for a bond hearing that could allow Contreras-Cervantes to return to his family and healthcare providers in the Detroit area during the ongoing immigration court proceedings. He has been held in a detention center approximately three hours from his family.
Contreras-Cervantes, who has lived in the U.S. for about 20 years as an undocumented immigrant, was arrested following a traffic stop on August 5 in Macomb County. His lawyer stated that he has no prior criminal record.
This year, after being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, Contreras-Cervantes was told he has only four to six years to live, a diagnosis that has raised urgent health concerns while in custody.
His situation reflects the stringent immigration detention policies instated during the previous administration, which curtailed bond hearings for undocumented immigrants without criminal records. The ACLU is actively contesting these policies in court, citing their illegitimacy and implications for human rights.
Despite the pressing medical needs highlighted by his condition, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) remains unresponsive regarding the handling of his case. The ACLU has filed a petition asking for a federal judge's intervention to grant bond hearings for Contreras-Cervantes and others in similar situations.
Contreras-Cervantes's wife, Lupita, expressed distress over her husband's treatment, noting that he was denied critical medication for a protracted period and now receives only substitute drugs that do not align with his medical needs. His legal representation argues that prolonged detention without adequate care not only jeopardizes his health but also infringes upon his rights.
Miriam Aukerman, the ACLU attorney representing Contreras-Cervantes, stated, “We don’t just lock people up and throw away the key. Judges should determine who remains in detention. Immigration cases can take months or even years.”
In a statement, she emphasized the importance of due process in immigration cases, advocating for humane treatment for all individuals regardless of their immigration status.
The fight for justice and proper healthcare for immigrants like Contreras-Cervantes is critical, as it underscores broader issues of human rights and the treatment of vulnerable populations in the U.S.
