Elected officials and immigration advocates held a rally Thursday evening, May 29, on the steps of Tweed Courthouse in Manhattan, calling for the release of Dylan Lopez Contreras, a 20-year-old Bronx student currently being held in ICE custody.
Attendees at the 6 p.m. rally included U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, City Council Members Alexa Avilés, Carmen De La Rosa and Gale Brewer, Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes, along with representatives from the New York Immigration Coalition.
The Department of Homeland Security claims Contreras entered the country illegally in April 2024.
“Dylan Josue Lopez Contreras is an illegal alien from Venezuela who illegally entered the U.S. more than one year ago. Under the Biden administration, he was encountered at the border and RELEASED into the country,” said Homeland Security in a statement on X (formerly Twitter). “On May 21, 2025, Contreras was arrested and placed in expedited removal proceedings. Most aliens who illegally entered the United States within the past two years are subject to expedited removals. Biden ignored the law and chose to release millions of illegal aliens, including violent criminals, into the country with a notice to appear before an immigration judge. ICE is now following the law and placing these illegal aliens in expedited removal, as they always should have been.”
Supporters dispute that claim, saying Contreras entered through a legal channel and had complied with all immigration requirements.
“Dylan filed the paperwork to be granted asylum. He went for a follow-up meeting on May 24, where his case was dismissed,” said Robert Agyemang from the New York Immigration Coalition. “This sets a fast track for ICE to send a bad message.”
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams called the incident “horrific” and chided the Trump administration.
“Dylan was neither a criminal nor illegal,” Williams said, who has expressed concern that the city is working too closely with Trump’s immigration officials. “I am worried about coordination with ICE.”
U.S. Rep. Velázquez told rallygoers that she too was concerned.
“There are currently 293 people detained, including 22 women, and not one of whom has a single record,” Velázquez said. She said the detainments are part of a broader campaign to go after immigrants “without regard for due process.”
“Imagine this, no warning, no lawyer, no chance to say goodbye. He has no criminal record. When the Trump administration tells you they are only going after criminals, why did he pardon 15 ex-criminals?” said Velázquez. “This is part of a broader campaign to go after immigrants, students, workers, families with no regard for due process and sick children. We will not stop fighting until he is home.”
Many other public officials in attendance echoed the sentiment, expressing their support and intent to help those who have been detained be released.
“The areas that we represent are in the crosshairs of the machine and a machine they told us exactly how it would work,” said Council Member Carmen De La Rosa, who represents the upper Manhattan neighborhoods such as Washington Heights.
“This mayor has not done his bare essential to protect these communities. It doesn’t give confidence to the people and stand strongly when attacked by the federal government. ICE is not welcome in this city. They can cover their faces, they know they are doing wrong, they are a rogue agency. We believe in the USA and justice and fairness,” said Council Member Alexa Aviles, who represents a district in Brooklyn.
“Dylan, you have touched us all. We will fight for all the people who are detained,” said Council Member Gale Brewer, who represents a portion of Manhattan including the Upper West Side.
New York City Public Schools stands firmly with our students, including our immigrant students, and our schools will always be safe spaces for them.
Our hearts go out to the student who was detained by ICE, and we are deeply saddened for their family. pic.twitter.com/o8whFqPSY2
— Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos (@DOEChancellor) May 26, 2025
A spokesperson for City Hall told amNewYork that keeping New York City safe remains the mayor’s top priority.
“Keeping New Yorkers safe has always been Mayor Adams’ top priority, and he has been clear that our city is less safe when people are afraid to use public resources — like sending their children to school, going to a hospital when injured, dialing 911 when in need of help, or partaking in legal proceedings at court — and instead hide in the shadows,” said a City Hall spokesperson said in a statement to amNewYork. “While the Adams administration had no involvement in the apprehension of Dylan, we are sad to learn of this incident — especially since Dylan was reportedly following the legal process to seek asylum when he was taken into custody. Mayor Adams continues to encourage New Yorkers to not live in fear and utilize our city resources.”
Updated at 3:55 p.m. on May 30.
