WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, José Contreras Díaz, a DACA recipient, was released from an ICE detention facility after a second unlawful detention—and after the Trump administration agreed to his return to the United States after his unlawful deportation in the first place.

José’s case is part of a pattern by the current administration to target DACA recipients in an effort to silently end the program, hoping to avoid the political repercussions that could cause.

José, the father of a newborn son, was first deported to Honduras in January despite holding a valid DACA status for the past 12 years. Last week, José was detained again, even though ICE granted him parole and arranged for his transportation back to the U.S. The 30-year-old Rio Grande Valley DACA recipient came to the United States at age eight and has spent more than two decades building his life in Texas. Once eligible, José applied for DACA, diligently renewed his status, and did everything the government asked of him. Following this extended ordeal, he is now home with his family and focused on being able to bond with his newborn son, Mateo, who was born after he was deported, and he only just met in the past few days while he was detained.

The following statements were issued in response to José's release. His case has become a defining example of the administration's unlawful attacks against DACA recipients.

Statement from José Contreras Díaz: “I would not wish what I’ve been through on anyone. They detained me, sent me to a country I barely remember, and then gave me hope — the hope that I could come home, see my family, and hold my son again. Then that hope was taken away.

“It has been the hardest thing my family and I have ever experienced, and words cannot fully capture it. But I am home now. I got to hold my son, Mateo, and hug my family again. After everything, looking forward to that moment is what kept me going.

“From here on, I just want to move forward with my life.”

Statement from Todd Schulte, President of FWD.us: “We are both overjoyed that José is home and that this particular injustice has been corrected and appalled that this situation ever occurred. It remains outrageous that José was wrongfully arrested and deported, and we cannot lose sight that ICE rearrested him upon his flight back to the U.S. Correcting an injustice is not the same as undoing it. What the government should do is stop their attacks on DACA recipients, stop making false statements that DACA does not confer deportation protection, and cease its attacks on the DACA program.

“DACA has given nearly a million people the ability to live their lives with temporary work authorization and deportation protection; it has been an astonishing success and proof point on why ensuring people building their lives can gain legal status is best for all Americans. Today, we are thrilled José is with his family and will focus our outrage on fighting to ensure Dreamers find the permanent solution they deserve.”

Statement from Emily Barahona, José Contreras Díaz’s Sister: “There aren’t words to express what it means to have my brother back home. We waited months for this moment, living every single day with the fear and uncertainty of what would happen next. After he was rearrested last week, even though ICE granted him parole, I feared the worst. But today, when we picked him up at the bus station and saw him hold Mateo for the first time, it meant everything to our family. We are whole again, and I am so grateful.”

Statement from Stacy Tolchin, Attorney for José Contreras Díaz: “José should never have been detained or deported in the first place because his DACA status was valid and his parole was granted. It has been a long and difficult road, but I'm so glad he is home with his family now.”