Congressman: ICE director won't stop deportation of Durham teen
DURHAM (WTVD) -- A Durham high school student facing deportation encountered a major setback Saturday morning.
Wildin Guillen Acosta, 19, is being detained in Georgia after he was picked up in January. A vigil was held for him Friday afternoon.
Related: Rally, lawmaker aim to delay Durham teen's deportation
Congressman G.K. Butterfield reached out to immigration officials on Acosta's behalf. Early Saturday morning, Butterfield revealed that the ICE director will not use her executive authority to stop Acosta's deportation.
Acosta is set to be sent back to Honduras on Sunday.
Any appeal of the decision isn't possible until Monday morning, after the scheduled deportation.
Acosta came to the United States to escape the violence in Honduras.
Read Congressman G.K. Butterfield's full statement:
"Late tonight, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Director Sarah Saldena telephoned me to advise that she had personally reviewed the case of Wildin Acosta. Director Saldena regretfully informed me that she will not use her executive authority to modify the administrative decision rendered on Mr. Acosta's deportation proceedings late this afternoon. She informed me that this is a very complicated case and that she is not able to share all the details with me at this time. Director Saldena further stated her level of review of the case is the fourth level authorized by law. I informed Director Saldena that I am disappointed that the decision was released after 5:00 pm and that any appeal of the judge's decision wouldn't be able to take place until Monday morning, after Mr. Acosta's scheduled deportation. Director Saldana's response was that the administrative decision was rendered by the Department of Justice and not the Department of Homeland Security. She expressed compassion for Wildin and his family, but her decision appears to be final.
"I am very disappointed that the Director would not use her discretion in a decision that will have such a profound impact on Wildin, who fled violence in Honduras and sought refuge in the United States. I will continue to monitor Mr. Acosta's case and I, once again, urged Director Sarah Saldenato delay Wildin Acosta's deportation in order to give him an opportunity to appeal this administrative decision."
