Federal Judge Rules ICE Illegally Detained NYC Woman for Two Weeks

Unlawful Detention by ICE

• ⚖️ A federal judge has ruled that Isata Dio, a grandmother from Queens, was unlawfully detained by ICE for nearly two weeks.
• 📌 Dio was detained at LaGuardia Airport on November 25th while traveling to see her son, and subsequently held in facilities in New York, Texas, Louisiana, and New Jersey.
• 💔 The ruling came after significant advocacy from her family and immigration community advocates.

Judge Orders Immediate Release

• 🏛️ The federal judge ordered Dio's immediate release from ICE custody.
• 👏 Applause filled the courtroom upon the announcement of the ruling.
• 🚫 The judge also ruled that the government cannot attempt to detain Dio again in lower Manhattan.

Background and Asylum Concerns

• 🌍 Isata Dio fled her home country of Guinea around 2001, fearing political persecution.
• ⚠️ The government had acknowledged in 2012 that she could not be deported due to fears of persecution or torture.
• 🏠 Dio is described as a home health aide, a cook, and a caregiver for the elderly in her community.

Emotional Reunion

• 🤗 Dio experienced an emotional reunion with loved ones outside the federal court.
• 🙏 Upon her release, she expressed her immediate desire to take a shower and pray.