Statement: Released by ICE, Legal Aid client temporarily avoids deportation

STATEMENT (Minneapolis, MN) — Jose Yugar Cruz, a client of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid has been granted temporary release from ICE custody — a move to divert him from the Democratic Republic of the Congo where death rates are climbing due to the Ebola outbreak.

Prior to the outbreak and despite protests in Minnesota and in Iowa, the Department of Homeland Security had refused to stop Yugar Cruz’ deportation to the DRC or to consider relocation to another country and continent that would assure him a greater degree of safety as a victim of torture.

In a remarkable series of events, Yugar Cruz had won his Convention against Torture case in January of 2025; was released from detainment by a federal district judge in December 2025 due to the habeas petition filed by the Legal Aid pro bono team; and after his release, developed close ties with community members in Iowa before he was re-detained by ICE in April of this year.

“We at Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid are grateful for the work of the pro bono team at Greene Espel PLLP and the University of Iowa, as well as for those at Escucha Mi Voz and the Iowa City Catholic Worker, who have accompanied Mr. Yugar Cruz throughout this process. It is through these partnerships that justice can be achieved.”
-Attorney Alison Griffith, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid

“Thank you to everyone who advocated for me and spoke out about against these third-country deportations. The fight continues forward.”
-Client Jose Yugar Cruz, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid

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Media Contact:

Lisa Ramirez
Communications Director
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
lramirez@mylegalaid.org
612.746.364