Brooklyn Teachers Rally for Release of Student Detained by ICE

Rally for Muktar Dio's Release

• ✊ City leaders, advocates, and teachers gathered at the NYC Department of Education headquarters to demand the immediate release of a Brooklyn student from ICE custody.
• 🗣️ Chants of "Free Muktar Dio" echoed as demonstrators called for the 20-year-old asylum seeker from Guinea to be returned to his classroom.

Circumstances of Detention

• 📅 Advocates state that Madu Mukdalo was detained by ICE last week following a routine immigration court appearance in lower Manhattan.
• ⛓️ ICE confirmed Mukdalo is being held at a correctional facility in Pennsylvania, though they did not provide a statement regarding the detention.
• 💔 Teachers describe Mukdalo as a "bright, sweet young, respectful young man" who was unjustly taken after attending a court date.

Student's Background and Aspirations

• 📚 Mukdalo attends Brooklyn Frontiers High School, a transfer school for students who are overage and undercredited.
• 🎓 He is described as a model student, focused on his studies, building friendships, and contributing to his community.
• 🛠️ Mukdalo has completed a culinary internship and a security guard training program, expressing eagerness to start working.

Broader Context of Student Detentions

• 🚨 Advocates highlight that Mukdalo is at least the third public school student detained by ICE this year.
• ⚖️ Previously, 19-year-old Derlles was released in July after a month in custody, and 20-year-old Dylan has been detained since May.
• 🤝 The New York City schools chancellor stated the department is standing with the student's family, offering legal support and other services.
• 🏢 The mayor's office is reportedly reviewing legal options for the student's release.
• 🏫 Teachers emphasized their desire for students to feel safe, noting the detention did not occur on school grounds.