In brief
Jose Contreras-Cervantes, a 33-year-old man detained for immigration violations since August, is battling chronic myeloid leukemia with insufficient medical care in custody. The ACLU of Michigan is seeking bond hearings to allow him to seek treatment closer to home amid a policy that limits judicial discretion in immigration cases.
DETROIT (AP) — Federal authorities have denied the release of Jose Contreras-Cervantes, a Michigan man facing deportation despite his urgent medical condition. His lawyer raised concerns about the inadequate health care he has received while detained since August.
Contreras-Cervantes, a 33-year-old father of three, was detained following a routine traffic stop on August 5 in Macomb County, and is currently being held approximately three hours away from his family.
Last year, he was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a form of cancer that affects bone marrow. His wife, Lupita Contreras, disclosed that doctors have given him a life expectancy of only four to six years.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan is advocating for a bond hearing for Contreras-Cervantes, which could enable his release while his immigration case is pending. ACLU attorney Miriam Aukerman highlighted that his detention stems from the previous administration's policies, which limit bond hearings for immigrants without criminal records.
“The current approach is unjust and undermines the rights to due process," Aukerman stated. "Immigration cases can take an extended period, and it is not appropriate to keep individuals locked up indefinitely.”
Since his detention, Contreras-Cervantes has faced significant health challenges, including a period of 22 days without medication. He has since been placed on a substitute medication that does not match the treatment prescribed by his doctors, raising further concerns about his health.
The ACLU has petitioned the U.S. District Court in Detroit to grant bond hearings for Contreras-Cervantes and additional detainees. Whether the courts will respond favorably to their request remains to be seen as the situation unfolds.
