DETROIT – In a significant development for immigrant rights, a Michigan man facing deportation while managing life-threatening leukemia has been ordered by a federal judge to be released or provided a bond hearing. This ruling, affecting Jose Contreras-Cervantes and seven other plaintiffs, was pronounced by U.S. District Judge Brandy McMillion, who emphasized that their continued detention skips crucial evaluations of individual circumstances, infringing on due process rights.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan represented Contreras-Cervantes, who has been in custody since August after being arrested for a traffic violation. The ruling allows him to remain with his family while his immigration case proceeds through the courts.
The judge's decision also signals a challenge to the previous administration’s policy, which largely eliminated bond hearing opportunities for undocumented immigrants. Contreras-Cervantes's case highlights not only the complexities of immigration law but also the urgent health challenges faced by those in detention. His wife, Lupita, a U.S. citizen, fears for his deteriorating health, as he was without medication for 22 days during his initial detention.
As of now, he is receiving substitute medication while at a privately operated detention center in Michigan, but the family's concern remains about the long-term implications of his health condition if they are forced to continue this legal battle under current circumstances.
The case underscores the critical intersection between immigration law and health rights, prompting reevaluation of policies that govern the treatment of vulnerable populations. Judge McMillion's directive for bond hearings within seven days stands as a crucial step towards rectifying these systemic issues.
