According to immigration advocacy group Movimiento Cosecha, Carlos Menjivar had already made plans to voluntarily leave the U.S. with his wife and three children days before he was detained by ICE agents on June 4th.
Menjivar had shown up for a routine check-in at the Grand Rapids office of the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program where ICE agents confiscated his passport and took him into custody. He was sent to the Calhoun County Correctional Facility. No reason was given for his arrest.
One week later, Menjivar’s wife and kids took refuge in Fountain Street Church, days before they were scheduled to fly to El Salvador with Carlos. Then on June 14th, Carlos’ family flew back to El Salvador without him.
Movimiento Cosecha announced Monday that Menjivar was deported to El Salvador and reunited with his family on June 20th.
A spokesperson said, “While Carlos is now back with his family, his story is a sobering reminder of the cruelty of the system designed to tear families apart. We remain committed to protecting immigrant families, demanding permanent protections, and building a Grand Rapids where no one lives in fear of ICE.”
