A federal judge has ordered the release of a University of California, Berkeley student from immigration detention. The decision comes following her arrest at San Francisco International Airport on October 30, an event that has drawn significant attention from the campus community and legal advocates.
Paula Albornoz Hernandez, 23, was in the process of boarding a flight with her boyfriend when agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement took her into custody. The Department of Homeland Security stated that her visa had expired, which served as the basis for her detention.
However, Hernandez's legal team presented a different account of her immigration status. Her attorney argued that the student was in the United States on a valid work visa and had already filed an application for asylum. This discrepancy formed the core of the legal challenge filed on her behalf.
U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins issued a ruling that effectively resets Hernandez's legal proceedings to the point before her arrest. This judicial order allows her to resume her studies at UC Berkeley while the broader immigration case continues to be addressed in court.
Nikolas De Bramaeker, the managing attorney at Centro Legal de la Raza, spoke to KTVU on Monday regarding the strength of the case. He noted that the legal team submitted a large volume of letters of support alongside Hernandez's emergency motion and habeas petition.
De Bramaeker emphasized the significance of these documents in demonstrating Hernandez's deep roots in the area. He stated, "They really go to show the level to which that she has ties within the community, the level, to which she has built up a life here."
Prior to her release, Hernandez was held at the California City Detention Center in Kern County. This facility has faced ongoing criticism from various groups regarding the living conditions experienced by detainees.
Her attorney highlighted that there are continuing concerns about Hernandez's health following her time at the detention center. These medical considerations were part of the broader context presented during the legal proceedings.
The release marks a significant development in the case, allowing the student to return to her academic life. The decision reflects a broader judicial review of the circumstances surrounding her arrest and the validity of the initial detention order.
Information for this report was gathered from the Department of Homeland Security, relevant court records, and statements provided by Nikolas De Bramaeker of Centro Legal de la Raza.
