NILC Statement on the Release of Antonio Yesayahu Gámez-Cuéllar from ICE Detention

Mar 9, 2026

Enforcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2026

CONTACT
Email: [email protected]
Rocio Ortega, 213-789-6820
Will Dempster, 908-413-0153

NILC Statement on the Release of Antonio Yesayahu Gámez-Cuéllar from ICE Detention 

McAllen, Texas— Efrén C. Olivares, vice president of litigation and legal strategy at the National Immigration Law Center, issued the following statement after the release of Antonio Yesayahu Gámez-Cuéllar, an 18-year-old high school award-winning mariachi trumpeter whose detention by ICE in South Texas received local and national press attention:  

“Antonio’s detention was a cruel and calculated attack against him and his family. Music has no borders. Instead of celebrating the leadership and artistic talent of today’s youth, this administration continues to traumatize families, all because of Trump’s obsession with deportation.” 

“The NILC legal team and Garcia & Garcia Attorneys at Law acted quickly and filed a parole request on behalf of Antonio. We are glad that Antonio and his family are reunited, thanks to the courageous activism of their friends and community. Antonio’s case shows us the power we have when we come together to fight injustice. As we celebrate Antonio’s release and look forward to his high school graduation, let’s use this energy to fight for the release of other immigrant families held in ICE detention across the country.” 

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