Juan Carlos Hernandez-Pacheco had been detained by the police for 20 days after being arrested by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents while targeting another person. Juan Carlos remained in custody because he had two DUIs from 2007, a situation that could increase his chances of being deported.
He was released on Wednesday afternoon on a $3,000 bond issued by a Missouri federal immigration court. As reported by The New York Times, which followed the proceedings, local leaders reinforced Hernandez’s case by writing letters. Judge Justin W. Howard acknowledged the situation by saying, “You don’t typically see this kind of documentation.”
A friend of Hernandez for ten years, Tim Grigsby, stated that he was happy that his friend was out and he was overcome by the support he received the natives of West Frankfort, a town of 8,000 residents whose primary activity is mining.
Hernandez’s family could not make to pick him up because one of his sons was sick, so Grigsby and some of Hernandez’s other friends drove to Missouri to take him home. They were to stop on their way back at La Fiesta, the infamous restaurant where Hernandez works as a manager, to quench the cravings for Mexican food that Hernandez had.
Hernandez too was overwhelmed by the support from his hometown, which is located in Pro-Trump county. He was unable to talk to the media because he was worn out, Grigsby told the media. Grigsby also said, “I’m very proud of my hometown, it’s unbelievable the amount of support. But in reality, it’s not. This is a story about an individual that is remarkable.”
Hernandez’s attorney, Mr. Victor Arturo Arana of Austin, Texas, was also there to greet him after his release. Mr. Arana mentioned he did not expect his client to be arrested again as they await a court date. He also mentioned that his client, Juan Carlos Hernandez, is in undertaking the necessary processes that are required for him to become a legal permanent resident.
Arana is also optimistic that his client, Mr. Hernandez, will be nearing to acquire a green card by the time the court sets a date, due to the backlog of cases they have.
Hernandez is married to Elizabeth Hernandez, and they have had three children together. The fact that Elizabeth is a neutralized citizen has also helped in securing his release according to Arana. He has lived as an undocumented immigrant in the United States since arriving from Mexico 10 years ago.
Hernandez’s support for his release was not accepted by others in his hometown. Some people in his hometown thought that Hernandez had to follow the law and engage in the due processes of immigration for him to be able to live among them. It came after some of them found out the Hernandez had been living in the country for nearly two decades without the required documentation.
“No matter how good a person you are, illegal is illegal,” said Amanda Mays, a resident.
