Jonathan Ryan and his team represent dozens of migrants from around the world who are seeking asylum. He fears more of his clients could end up in ICE custody.
SAN ANTONIO — While immigration arrests are down nationwide, those in San Antonio’s migrant community still worry about the future–especially after a prominent human rights activist was taken into ICE custody in recent weeks.
The latest numbers from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), indicate ICE arrests of noncitizens have seen a 14% decline, from a daily average of 1,125 in June to 1,055 daily apprehensions in August.
The reduction in arrests falls below the level of 3,000 daily arrests ordered by the Trump administration last May.
On Aug. 20, ICE arrested Yadira Cordoba of Nicaragua at a routine immigration appointment in San Antonio. Cordoba’s 15-year-old son, Orlando, was killed by a sniper during the 2018 anti-government protests.
Cordoba went on to speak out against the authoritarian Nicaraguan government, fighting for democracy. She came to the U.S. seeking asylum in 2022. Now she’s in ICE custody pending a review of her case by an immigration judge, according to federal officials.
Congressman Joaquin Castro released a statement in support of Cordoba, saying in part, “This is a part of a wider and deeply concerning trend of this administration attacking immigrants, asylum seekers and defenders of democracy. If we fail to protect Cordoba, America’s beacon light will dim.”
San Antonio-based immigration attorney Jonathan Ryan and his team represents dozens of migrants who are in the process of seeking asylum. From Afghanistan to African countries to South America, Ryan’s clients come from around the world.
He said a couple of the migrants have been taken into custody. The future remains foggy for those Ryan represents.
“I’ve seen young mothers and young children squealing as they’re being taken behind closed doors,” he said. “I have many more clients whose ICE appointments are later this month and next month and I’m unfortunately preparing myself for the reality that they too will be detained.”