Immigration agents detained Tonny Quesada-Ramirez, a New Jersey resident, with neighbors rallying to support his legal battle. The detention in South Orange involved U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents apprehending immigrants with pending legal status applications. This gray area has led to agents avoiding arrests until decisions are finalized.
A GoFundMe set up for Quesada-Ramirez, affectionately known as Tony within the community, quickly exceeded its $25,000 target, reaching over $36,000 by Wednesday afternoon. Shuly Adams, who initiated the fundraiser, described him as a kind and cooperative person, devoting much of his energy to his family, particularly his two sons, with the elder having Down’s syndrome.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed on Wednesday that agents had previously arrested Quesada-Ramirez multiple times, reiterating that pending applications do not prevent deportation.
Tonny Quesada-Ramirez: Background Information
According to DHS, Border Patrol first encountered Quesada-Ramirez on June 13, 2001, after he entered the country illegally, leading to ICE custody. He was released on June 24, 2001, on a promise to appear in court, yet ordered removed on October 16, 2001, for failing to appear.
ICE arrested him again on October 24, 2010, but released him on bond in March. On August 7, Quesada-Ramirez was detained in South Orange with several other men. As a Costa Rican national, he has resided in the U.S. for about 26 years with his wife and two children. Adams noted that he started the green card application process years back.
The GoFundMe details that Adams first encountered him five years ago when he crafted a wooden cover for her radiator. Having lived in an apartment on Adams’s street, Quesada-Ramirez undertook several projects for her.
“Last year, we decided to build an addition onto our home. We turned to Tony. He and his team started on the job in April. Five months later, they have nearly completed it,” Adams wrote, recounting how they planned to share a note in the local community about his work.
Surprisingly, shortly after completing the announcement, Adams received a call informing her that Tony had been arrested by ICE near her home.
ICE’s Approach to Detaining Immigrants with Pending Applications
Recent immigration enforcement actions have increasingly targeted individuals with pending applications before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This aligns with the Trump administration’s stance that filing for immigration benefits does not protect individuals from deportation.
USCIS policy underscores that individuals removable under immigration law might still face removal proceedings while an application is pending. Administration officials emphasize that filing an application does not grant lawful immigration status.
A 2025 USCIS policy update stated that beneficiaries of family-based petitions could be referred for removal proceedings if deemed deportable, noting that a petition doesn’t provide immigration status or prevent removal. The administration claims these changes aim to bolster immigration enforcement, combat fraud, and improve coordination between USCIS and ICE.
Critics argue the policy affects those trying to legalize their status through established avenues, facing long processing waits that leave them vulnerable to enforcement actions if their visa or status expires. The administration maintains that immigration benefits are discretionary, and applicants out of status remain subject to removal, even while cases await resolution.
Next Steps in Quesada-Ramirez’s Case
Adams mentioned that an attorney is representing Quesada-Ramirez, currently held at Delaney Hall, an ICE detention center in Newark, spotlighted by protests and scrutiny. “He will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings,” the DHS conveyed, clarifying that work authorization or an application does not confer legal status in the U.S.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Gabe Whisnant and Dave Siminoff.