Judge Orders Release Of San Diego County College Student Detained By ICE

SAN DIEGO, CA — A federal judge Friday ordered the release of a San Diego City College student who was detained by federal immigration officers last month, according to his attorney.

On Friday, attorney Wismick Saint-Jean appeared in federal court on behalf of the student, Renatho Casseus, seeking his release through a habeas corpus petition. The judge granted the petition and ordered Casseus released, according to a statement.

On Sept. 8, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in unmarked vehicles stopped a vehicle near the intersection of 16th and C streets, according to district officials. The driver, Casseus, was taken into custody, while the passenger fled onto City College's campus.

"Our community has stood by Renatho and his family throughout this ordeal, confident justice would prevail. We are sincerely appreciative of the work done by Renatho's attorney to secure his release," said San Diego Community College District Chancellor Gregory Smith. "We are grateful to all who joined us in providing Renatho and his family with resources to ensure they had the necessary legal representation. College campuses are places of learning and should never be used for immigration enforcement. We will continue to do everything in our power to protect our students and employees, including working with our elected representatives to ensure that schools, colleges and other sensitive locations are off limits for ICE."

District officials said the pursuing ICE agents "quickly stopped as they recognized they were entering a college campus. The agents went back to their vehicles and left. ICE is no longer in the area and did not engage with anyone else on campus."

On Oct. 1, SDCCD began installing signs prohibiting immigration enforcement on its property. The 18-by-30-inch signs were being installed at entry points around the district's 10 campus locations.

"This property is owned by the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD). This property may only be used for purposes that have been authorized by SDCCD and may not be used for immigration enforcement staging areas, processing locations, or any related operations," the signs read.

SDCCD officials said the signs had been in the works since the spring, but their installation was accelerated after the Sept. 8 incident.

"Today, I am overwhelmed with gratitude, joy, and hope as we celebrate the release of our student, Renatho Casseus, from immigration detention," said Ricky Shabazz, City College president. "For the past several weeks, our City College community has stood alongside Renatho and his family during an incredibly difficult and uncertain time. Today, we celebrate not simply his release, but the power of love, community, advocacy, and our collective commitment to social justice.

"First and foremost, I want to thank Renatho's family. Thank you for trusting us, allowing us into your lives, and reminding us that behind every headline and immigration case is a human being with a family, dreams, and a future worth fighting for. To our extraordinary San Diego City College community, thank you for showing what it truly means to say, `You Belong Here."'

Since the Sept. 8 incident, the community college district has begun using text alerts when federal immigration officials come onto campus. In addition, the district and its colleges have expanded counseling and legal support services for students and have raised funds to pay Casseus' legal bills.

Going forward, Smith said the district will "advocate with its congressional representatives for legislation that would prevent immigration enforcement activity at education, medical and religious facilities, and other sensitive locations," according to a district statement.

The City College enforcement action, and a similar one in which ICE agents took two parents into custody while they were dropping off their child at John Marshall Elementary School in Chollas Creek, sparked backlash from local elected officials.

"Parents should be able to drop their children off at school without fearing detention, and students should be able to attend class without encountering federal immigration enforcement around their campus," read a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin written by Reps. Juan Vargas, D-San Diego; Scott Peters, D-San Diego; Sara Jacobs, D-San Diego; Mike Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano; and Sens. Alex Padilla, D-California, and Adam Schiff, D-California. "Schools and institutions of higher education have long been places where students feel safe enough to learn, belong, and achieve their academic dreams without their lives being uprooted. Schools should not become the backdrop for immigration enforcement activity, nor should parents have to choose between bringing their children to school and fearing that they may be detained in the process.

"As back to school season continues, we demand that you end all ICE activity in the immediate vicinity of schools and college campuses, particularly during school arrival and dismissal times."

ICE has not responded to requests for comment regarding the actions.

According to SDCCD, California law restricts federal immigration enforcement officers from entering nonpublic areas of school campuses, questioning students or accessing personal student and family data without a valid judicial warrant or court order. In addition, SDCCD policy prevents district employees from assisting federal immigration officials.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria denounced the ICE actions.

"No parent should have to fear being separated from their family simply for dropping their child off at school," he said. "Actions like these inflict fear and trauma far beyond those who are detained. Children are left wondering whether their parents will come home. Families may become afraid to take their children to school. And educators are forced to help children navigate fear and uncertainty that no child should have to experience.

"This is cruel, unnecessary and counterproductive. It does nothing to make our communities safer."

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