On Friday, immigration agents detained Tonny Quesada-Ramirez in New Jersey. Neighbors have rallied to support the family, raising thousands of dollars for his legal battle. This detention in South Orange marks another instance of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehending individuals with pending legal status applications. Typically, such apprehensions were deferred until a decision was reached.
A GoFundMe campaign for Quesada-Ramirez, known to locals as Tony, surpassed its $25,000 target, reaching over $36,000 by Wednesday afternoon. Shuly Adams, who initiated the fundraiser, commented, “He was kind and easy to work with. He beamed when discussing his family, especially his two sons, the elder of whom has Down’s syndrome.”
In a statement to Newsweek, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reiterated that pending applications did not halt deportation procedures. Quesada-Ramirez had previous encounters with immigration authorities. “Border Patrol first encountered him on June 13, 2001, after he entered the country illegally, resulting in his ICE detention,” DHS reported. “He was ordered removed for failing to appear in court on October 16, 2001.” Quesada-Ramirez was apprehended again on October 24, 2010, and later released on bond in March of the following year.
Adams mentioned that Quesada-Ramirez has lived in the U.S. for approximately 26 years. He resides with his wife and two children. A few years back, Quesada-Ramirez began the process of applying for a green card. Adams first met him when he crafted a wooden radiator cover for her five years ago. Since then, she sought his assistance for other projects.
Recently, Adams hired Quesada-Ramirez for a home addition. “Tony and his crew started the job in April, and within five months, they nearly completed it,” Adams explained. They planned to share a note in the local community about the project. However, Tony’s arrest disrupted those plans.
“We had, strangely, just finished writing those words when we got a phone call telling us that Tony had been handcuffed and arrested by ICE agents one block from our home.”
ICE Detaining Immigrants with Applications Pending
In recent times, immigration enforcement has increasingly focused on individuals with pending applications at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This approach reflects the Trump administration’s stance that applying for immigration benefits alone does not prevent deportation.
Cases reported by Newsweek highlight incidents where immigrants seeking legal status were detained during routine USCIS interviews or after their cases received enforcement review. USCIS guidance clarifies that individuals removable under immigration law can face removal proceedings, even with a pending application.
Officials argue that a pending application doesn’t grant lawful immigration status. In a 2025 policy update, USCIS stressed that family-based petition beneficiaries could face removal if deemed deportable, emphasizing that a petition alone does not provide immigration status or prevent removal.
Critics argue that these policies affect immigrants trying to legalize their status through appropriate channels. These individuals often endure long waits for USCIS decisions, remaining at risk if their underlying status has expired. Attorneys highlight substantial backlogs that leave applicants in a vulnerable limbo.
What Happens Next
An attorney now represents Quesada-Ramirez, currently held at Delaney Hall, an ICE facility in Newark. This location has been the subject of protests and scrutiny recently. “He will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings,” stated a DHS spokesperson, emphasizing that work authorizations or pending applications do not ensure legal U.S. status.
Contact Newsweek editors Gabe Whisnant and Dave Siminoff for further information.