West suburban man released from ICE custody to donate kidney to brother
A west suburban man has been temporarily released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody to donate his kidney to his brother.
Jose Gregorio Gonzalez was detained by ICE on March 3. His brother, Jose Alfredo Pacheco, suffers from 100% kidney failure.
Friday the brothers stood with their arms around each other for the first time in over a month. For the brothers, the reunification is a matter of life or death.
"I'm extremely happy for the liberation of my brother," Pacheco said through a translator.
According to The Resurrection Project, Gonzalez is his brother's only viable kidney donor. The 37-year-old Pacheco depends on thrice-weekly dialysis to survive.
Pacheco came to Chicago from Venezuela in 2022. He was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2023. His 43-year-old older brother came to Chicago the same year in hopes of donating his kidney.
"We grew up very close together and very united," Pacheco said through a translator.
While Pacheco is seeking asylum, Gonzalez is not. His case has a removal order because he is not in the country legally, which prompted ICE agents to pick him up on March 3 at their home in Cicero.
Gonzalez's initial request for a stay of removal was denied, and advocates elevated his case to an ICE Chicago Field Supervisor. Advocates, elected officials, faith leaders and community members also held a vigil calling for his release.
"This victory didn't happen on its own. It took nearly 2,000 people signing the petition, the support of elected officials, and them constantly pressing ice and standing up for what is right," said Tenoch Rodriguez, deportation defense organizer at The Resurrection Project.
The Resurrection Project announced Gonzalez had been granted a temporary release by ICE on Wednesday. It took a month of pressure from immigration advocates to get Gonzalez released.
"Most people who work in immigration will tell you that outcomes like this are not common," said Peter Meinecke, senior staff attorney at The Resurrection Project.
Gonzalez is still not a confirmed match as a kidney donor for his brother, but they already have several appointments lined up to begin that process.
First, they plan to call their mom so she can speak to them both.
Gonzalez also has to check in with ICE on Monday, at which point he'll be fitted with an ankle monitor and have to continue periodic check-ins.
