Red Bank Resident Released By ICE, Attorney Says

RED BANK, NJ — A Red Bank resident who was detained by U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) in January has been released, his attorney told Patch.

Ricardo Paz was released by ICE on Thursday after being detained on Jan. 6 in the area of Bridge Avenue, his attorney, Anne Sedki, said.

According to Sedki, Paz was released after the judge granted a $20,000 bond.

Though the bond initially posed a “significant financial barrier” that nearly kept Paz detained, Sedki said he was able to post bond with the assistance of Envision Freedom Fund and was released on Thursday.

“In the current immigration climate, bonds are rarely granted, and the likelihood of his release was very small,” Sedki said. “I fought for his chance at freedom and refused to give up on him. He’s been my client for over 6 years.”

While in ICE custody, Sedki said Paz experienced serious health issues, though he is now “in good spirits and happy to be back home.”

In an online post, Red Bank Deputy Mayor Kate Triggiano celebrated Paz’s release from custody, adding that his release is the work of “Ricardo and an entire community of people providing funds, resources, legal, prayers, and services.”

“Ricardo has been released from detention and is home with his family tonight,” Triggiano said. “Thank you to everyone who worked together to make this possible.”

Patch has reached out to ICE for further information on Paz’s release from custody. This article will be updated once a response is received.

According to a report from the Asbury Park Press, Paz has been in the U.S. for 20 years and had a pending immigration case when he was detained by ICE in January. He was in the country with legal authorization, Sedki previously told the Press.

Prior to his detainment in January, Paz was arrested and charged with simple-assault-purposefully/knowingly causing bodily injury, in 2011, according to a report from RedBankGreen.

Though Paz was charged, state municipal court records list the status of the charge as “disposed,” and no guilty or not guilty plea was entered, the report said.

According to RedBankGreen, Sedki said that Paz’s previous arrest could be a reason why he was in the system, but said that until ICE provides paperwork on the case, there’s no way to know if he was targeted for the 2011 incident or just “in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Since his release from custody on Thursday, Sedki said Paz can now “fairly fight his case in Immigration Court while reunited with his family,” an opportunity that she described as “critical to due process.”

“Ricardo is in good spirits and happy to be back home,” she told Patch. “And I’m sure his Red Bank community is equally happy to see him.”

Previous Coverage

• Red Bank Resident Detained By ICE, Deputy Mayor Says