Reseda Man Finally Home After Months in ICE Detention
Undocumented Man Released from Federal Custody After Months in Detention
A Reseda man expressed relief and gratitude on Monday after returning home from several months in federal custody. Juan Carlos Meija was arrested in June at a Burbank Home Depot while shopping for work materials with his son.
Following his arrest, Meija was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “Two hundred two days I’m in jail. It’s so hard to stay there,” said Meija, a native of Guatemala who has lived in the United States for over 20 years.
Before his release on bail, Meija spent time in various detention centers, including facilities in Texas and near the Mexican border, where he faced the risk of expedited deportation. However, good fortune intervened when he connected with an attorney who advocated for a transfer to a more favorable detention center in El Paso.
“We had told the family, ‘Be careful that he should not sign this voluntary return. He has a good case. This is one worth fighting,’” recalled Jeremy Anderson, Meija’s attorney. He noted that Meija’s clean criminal record, coupled with his long-term residency in the U.S., could bolster his case moving forward.
After his release on bail, Meija expressed his happiness. “I’m so happy to see my life. I’m happy to see my kids. And I’m happy to see all my friends pray for me,” he said. “I just want to say, ‘Thank you. Thank you.’”
As Meija’s case continues through the immigration system, Anderson remains cautiously optimistic despite the current political climate. “Even in the context of this administration, a strong case is a strong case,” he remarked. “And to the credit of good immigration judges, we’re not seeing broad deviation from the legal standards.”
Anderson also noted the ongoing pressure on the immigration system but emphasized that its core functions remain intact.
The Department of Homeland Security has been contacted for comments regarding Meija’s bail and release.
