Immigration and Customs Enforcement has confirmed that agents from its Buffalo office arrested a man and his child, both from Venezuela, in Albany Friday morning, pursuant to a warrant of removal.
An agency spokesperson said Alexander Jose Regnault-Avila and his child entered the U.S. in Eagle Pass, Texas, in 2023, and an immigration judge ordered their removal on June 28, 2024.
Advocates said five ICE agents took Regnault-Avila and his 4-year-old daughter into custody at about 9:15 a.m. Friday on Western Avenue near Washington Park.
A family and a staff member in the Albany City School District said the girl was a student in the district, but spokespeople with the district did not immediately return requests for comment.
Capital Region Sanctuary Coalition Advocates were assembled outside ICE’s field offices in Malta Friday afternoon. That’s where they said the father and daughter were taken after the arrest.
Manager of Organizing and Strategy for the New York Immigration Coalition Jahaira Roldan was leading protestors in chants outside the facility.
“They should be on their way home from school now, but right now they’re in a detention facility and ICE is looking to deport them,” said Roldan.
ICE said the pair is being processed for removal to Venezuela together.
The agency, in a statement, encouraged parents "who are in the United States illegally to take control of their departure by using the CBP One app."
"The United States is currently offering illegal aliens $2,600 and a free flight to self-deport," the agency's statement said. "We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right, legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return."
In response to the arrest, Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs said the detainment "sow[s] fear in our city's diverse neighborhoods." In a statement Saturday, she wrote, "Our families deserve to feel safe, and be treated with dignity and respect. No child in our community should have to experience this type of trauma."
