Students Rally for Friend Detained by ICE, Share Stories of Fear and Hope
In the months since Dylan Lopez Contreras, a senior at Ellis Prep Academy in the Bronx, was taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in May, his classmates have grappled with anger and grief while mobilizing support for their friend. The Guardian collaborated with Dylan and five of his peers to document their lives and dreams through disposable cameras, illustrations, and personal essays, offering a raw glimpse into the immigrant experience in America.
A Shock to the School Community
Ellis Prep Academy, a small high school in the Bronx dedicated to recently arrived students, was shaken when Dylan, 20, was detained at a routine immigration court hearing. He had been completing his education after a difficult journey from Venezuela to the U.S. border. According to his lawyers, he was the first New York public school student detained by ICE, and he remains held at the Moshannon Valley ICE processing center in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania.
"It was a shock," said Roger, a friend of Dylan's. The arrest has left students processing their emotions and rallying behind their classmate, all while navigating the typical stresses of high school life, such as essay deadlines and college applications.
Life in Detention: A Struggle for Sanity
From inside the detention center, Dylan describes a life of discomfort, stress, and monotony. He writes about conflicts over trivial matters like snoring or trash, and endures racist treatment from guards. The noise makes sleep difficult, and the psychological toll leads many to request "self-deportation" to escape the ordeal.
To cope, Dylan engages in activities like Sudoku, word searches, and board games. He reads books, such as María of Colombian origin, and observes others who find solace in art, like drawing anime characters or embroidery. Despite access to phone calls, he feels cut off from friends due to the confiscation of his cellphone and laments the terrible food, missing his mother's cooking.
"I hope this comes to an end soon so I can be with you, and if it does not, I will carry you in my heart," Dylan writes to his friends.
Student Perspectives: Fear and Resilience
Roger, 17, recalls the morning he learned of Dylan's arrest during a history assignment. Their close friendship, built on shared classes and soccer talks, made the news devastating. He now fears for other friends, constantly worrying about immigration raids and worst-case scenarios. Music and badminton help him clear his mind.
Shannel, 19, an immigrant herself, sees immigration as a daily reality filled with hope and fear. She worries about friends whose parents could be taken at any moment, noting that arrests tear apart entire families. "An immigration arrest doesn't only affect the person detained; its consequences can tear entire lives apart," she says.
Oumar, 21, questions America's promise of welcome, especially after Dylan's arrest. He has become more cautious in New York, noticing law enforcement in everyday spaces and carrying a constant, unspoken fear. "I'm still trying to understand how a country that calls itself 'United' has turned into a nation divided," he reflects.
Linda, 18, who moved from the Dominican Republic, finds community among LGBTQ+ and Latinx friends but lives in fear of rights being stripped away. Panic sets in when ICE is mentioned, and she uses dancing and journaling to cope. "ICE is not only taking immigrants, it is also taking their ambitions," she asserts.
Yesiel, 18, also from the Dominican Republic, has faced multiple moves and educational setbacks, including repeating ninth grade due to English proficiency. He feels isolated in expressing himself but perseveres in learning. "It was like being inside a lonely world, where your expression is misunderstood," he shares.
A Call for Empathy and Action
These stories highlight the broader impacts of immigration policies on young lives. Students at Ellis Prep Academy continue to support Dylan while envisioning a better future. Their documentation serves as a powerful testament to resilience in the face of uncertainty, urging a reevaluation of how America treats those seeking safety and opportunity.
This article was produced in collaboration with students and teachers at Ellis Prep Academy, with support from Documented, a non-profit newsroom focused on immigrant communities in New York City.
