Ossining Community Rallies Behind Student Detained for Deportation

The Ossining community is rallying behind an Ossining High School student who was taken into custody by federal immigration authorities Thursday on the day of his prom and a week before he is scheduled to graduate.

More than 15,600 people have pledged their support to Diego Puma, 19, who was apprehended at 7:30 a.m. at his cousin’s home after a final order of deportation was issued in November by an immigration judge. His mother was taken into a custody a day earlier.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Rockland/Westchester) is calling on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to immediately grant Puma, who has no arrest record, a stay of removal.

“Instead of celebrating the end of high school with his friends and peers, this young man was arrested and processed for deportation to Ecuador. The Ossining community has admirably risen to show support for this young man who was well-liked and admired,” Lowey said.

“In the Lower Hudson Valley, we understand that our tightly knit, diverse communities are places where people of all backgrounds work to build a brighter future together. It is unconscionable that the Trump Administration would violate this fundamental trust, and I am deeply concerned this reckless action will have a chilling effect on the critical relationships between immigrant communities, law enforcement, and school officials,” Lowey continued. “Young people who were brought to the United States as minors and have no criminal record should never be subject to such a cruel, deportation-first policy.”

According to Ossining Village Mayor Victoria Gearity and Interim Village Manager Paul Fraioli, Puma was allowed to remain in the United States for several years while his case was reviewed. They stated the Ossining Police Department was not notified of the location of the federal operation, nor aware that federal officials were apparently working in the village on Wednesday.

“Village of Ossining local law enforcement and elected officials continue to strive for improved communication with Ossining’s immigrant community,” stated Gearity, who lives near Puma and his family. “It is our hope that federal agencies will properly notify the Ossining Police Department whenever they are working in the community, and keep the department up to date as circumstances change. Ensuring that residents feel safe in our community, and will report crimes and seek assistance from the local police department, is essential for keeping everyone in Ossining safe.”

ICE officials refuted Gearity’s contention, reportedly stating Ossining Police were notified by the federal agency about the operation.

“We should not lose sight of the fact that we now have a family that’s been torn apart. A life that is now fractured. These are not the values that we hold as a country,” Bracco said. “We need to realize that Diego and his family like immigrants across the country contribute to their community and local economy and pay taxes. This is a young man who has made a life here –  he was planning to attend his prom and graduate high school – a rite of passage that millions of families around the country look forward to with great pride. These actions instill fear and anxiety in the community and immigrants will not feel secure to interact with local law enforcement to report crime or engage in a meaningful way. Neighbors Link continues to believe that it takes the whole community to stand up and say they reject these actions.”