Undocumented Valley man to be reunited with family after weeks of being detained

A longtime Coachella Valley resident who was detained by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement nearly five weeks ago, is expected to be reunited with his family Tuesday.

Victor, who did not want to be fully identified out of fear of negatively impacting his case, is a father to five children, a devoted member of the Catholic Church and has lived in Indio for nearly 20 years. He is undocumented.

Victor was ordered on Tuesday to pay $5,000 bail for his release from a detention facility in Adelanto, Ca. KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 had a reporter inside of the courtroom for the morning’s proceedings and afterward spoke with Victor’s legal team, as well as one of his most-outspoken supporters, Father Howard Lincoln of Sacred Heart Church.

“We feel very happy. Very vindicated,” Father Lincoln said outside the courthouse.

You can hear more on what Father Lincoln and Victor’s legal team had to say during our follow-up story tonight on KESQ News Channel 3 at 6 p.m. and CBS Local 2 at 6:30 p.m.

Watch KESQ & CBS Local 2 Online

The latest development comes one week after a preliminary immigration status hearing was postponed to allow Victor’s lawyers more time to gather evidence that showed Victor was a good member of society. During that initial hearing in Adelanto, Victor was supported by his family- five kids and wife- as well as Father Lincoln and members from the Courageous Resistance and Inland Congregations United for Change. Victor’s attorneys met with a federal judge who was seemingly moved by the support.

It was five weeks ago that Victor was on the way to a baseball practice with his four youngest children and wife, when the car he was riding in was pulled over by I.C.E officers who had been trailing in unmarked vehicles. The family said the officers had been looking for someone else.

“They recall the day almost every day and ask, ‘Why? Why it happened or why he’s not back. Why can’t they see his face,'” Victor’s wife told KESQ News Channel 3’s and CBS Local 2’s Katie Widner.

She said Victor answered all of their questions honestly, including if he was undocumented. He was transported to a detention facility in Adelanto where his family was only able to speak with him over the phone for nearly a month.

“Physically. Mentally. It’s hard for all of us. Himself as well. I can only imagine,” Victor’s wife added. “At least I know I can hug my kids, he can’t.”

Father Lincoln said while Victor is undocumented, he has no criminal record.

“He has no felonies whatsoever. He has one speeding ticket in 18 years, and he had been here over 17 years before it even got that one,” Father Lincoln said. “There’s no parking tickets. He’s simply a man who came here, escaping a country that has some crime and corruption to find a place for a family with a future and work that could provide for his family.”

Father Lincoln spoke about the church’s feelings on undocumented immigrants and deportation, saying there is “an immoral status quo.”

“We also feel strongly that we are not in favor of open borders, that every sovereign nation has a right and a responsibility to secure their borders. On the other hand, they have a right to migrate. They have a right to seek a better life for them and their children,” he added. “I think I would like to add that those four children deserve a father and I don’t think anyone can argue with that.”

“It’s just the physical and mental distress. It’s just bad,” Victor’s wife said. “You cannot imagine how bad it is.”

KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 tried to reach I.C.E. last week to find out more about Victor’s case. The station could not be provided any information without his alien registration number. The family would not provide that.

Victor has another hearing scheduled for June in Los Angeles Immigration Court to discuss his status. His lawyers said they are confident he will be allowed to stay in the United states.