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School Pledges To Help Teen Taken Into Custody By ICE Graduate

OSSINING, N.Y. -- The Ossining School District still wants to ensure a 19-year-old senior detained by immigration gets his diploma.

Diego Macancela

Diego Macancela

Photo Credit: Contributed

Diego Macancela was taken into custody by ICE agents on Thursday at his home on Prospect Avenue. Macancela was set to graduate in a few weeks and was going to attend his senior prom before he was detained. He remains detained in New Jersey pending deportation back to Ecuador.

Macancela had been ordered removed by an immigration judge on Nov. 16

His mother was taken into custody Wednesday and also awaits deportation. An appeal will be filed to at least grant Macancela the ability to finish high school, Sanchez said.

 "We would, of course, welcome our student back for his final exams and graduation next week," Sanchez said. "As always, we will continue to provide our students with a safe and supportive environment including any and all students impacted by this situation.

Sen. David Carlucci, whose district covers Ossining, sent a letter to ICE requesting a temporary stay of removal so Macancela can graduate high school.

Macancela " is clearly a very well-liked and respected young man in the community," Carlucci said. Diego's current situation makes him a victim of this country's unjust and unfair immigration policies that threaten the well-being of hard working immigrant families. His only crime was that he was brought to the United States as a minor by a parent in search of the opportunity his education has afforded him."

Macancela's detention has attracted worldwide attention. A petition has attracted almost 17,000 signatures, with signees from countries like Sweden, Germany, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Harrison) called Macancela's detention "reckless" and said she has been touch with ICE to express her concern.

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