NEWARK, N.J. — A legally-residing Haitian student has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in a case that has shocked his family, legal team, and immigrant advocates in Spring Valley, New York.
Alan Junior Pierre, a 20-year-old student at Spring Valley High School, was detained at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark in June, despite having legal permission to be in the United States. His family and attorney say he was following every legal requirement, and his sudden detention has derailed his education and put his immigration status in jeopardy.
Detained Despite Legal Parole
Pierre entered the U.S. at the southern border and was granted parole by ICE based on humanitarian grounds and strong family support. His parole was valid through January 2026, and he has no criminal record, according to his attorney, Vince Sykes.
His arrest came unexpectedly following a routine appointment at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Application Support Center. ICE agents reportedly took him into custody on the spot, despite his compliance with all documentation and scheduled check-ins.
“He followed the lawful pathways,” Sykes said in an interview with lohud. “What was allowed months ago has changed. I don’t think there are any rules that ICE has to follow anymore.”
Family Devastated by Sudden Arrest
Alan’s father, a U.S. citizen, had filed an I-130 Petition for Alien Relative application to adjust his son’s status. But the young man’s detention has cast uncertainty over his future.
“If he does go to Haiti, he would be by himself. The bandits destroyed everything,” his father, Dutan Pierre, told lohud. “Give me my son back.”
Pierre’s detainment occurred outside the normal federal immigration court system due to his parole status — a technicality that limits a judge’s jurisdiction to intervene.
Education Disrupted, Future in Limbo
The timing of the arrest has added to the tragedy. Pierre missed his final weeks of school and was unable to register for summer school, further impacting his academic progress.
As CBS News New York reported, community members have begun organizing around his case, fearing similar detentions in their immigrant-heavy neighborhood.
“There is a climate of fear,” said one local advocate. “People are scared to go outside.”
Legal Efforts and Political Outreach Underway
Pierre’s legal team, led by Sykes, has reached out to local political representatives in hopes of resolving the case and preventing his deportation. The family’s legal arguments rest on the fact that his parole was valid and ICE has not provided a lawful basis for his detention.
This case joins a growing number of stories involving sudden detentions of non-citizens with valid U.S. documentation — a worrying trend amid unclear federal enforcement guidelines.
Community Calls for Transparency and Reform
The Pierre family is asking for greater transparency from ICE, as well as clear standards that prevent the detention of people who are following all legal procedures.
“This sends the wrong message to every immigrant doing things the right way,” said Sykes. “We need fairness and consistency — not fear.”
Do you believe ICE should be held accountable when detaining individuals with valid status? Share your thoughts with us in the comments on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
