A father from Queens, New York, has been reunited with his family after being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for several months. Manuel Mejia Hernandez was released on December 5, 2025, just in time to celebrate Christmas and his daughter Mia’s first birthday.
Alexandra Alvarez anxiously awaited her husband’s arrival at LaGuardia Airport. Holding her daughter, who was about to turn one, Alvarez scanned the crowd for Hernandez, who had been taken from their family on October 22. His journey included time spent in a detention center in Arizona, and he returned wearing the same clothes from his initial detention.
When Hernandez finally appeared, the emotional reunion unfolded as he rushed to Mia, only to realize she did not recognize him after being apart for so long. In a poignant moment, he embraced Alvarez and their daughter, the airport’s Christmas tree twinkling behind them. “I feel a weight has been lifted. It’s like I am not carrying a burden anymore,” Alvarez expressed, reflecting on the relief of their reunion.
Hernandez’s journey through the immigration system was fraught with challenges. Following a routine check-in, he was detained and transferred across various facilities, including a trip to El Paso, Texas, where he faced harsh conditions. “They put us in shackles and transferred us… My ankles hurt. They even kicked me,” he recounted. During his time in detention, he was often fed only a sandwich and an apple, leading him to seek additional food by working in the laundry for a mere $1 per day.
Despite these hardships, Hernandez remained hopeful, praying nightly to be released in time for his daughter’s first birthday. The couple had fled Ecuador due to threats stemming from Hernandez’s efforts to guide youth away from drug dealing. Alvarez had previously shared the dangers faced by families in their homeland, where speaking out can lead to dire consequences.
As the family prepared to celebrate Mia’s birthday, a sense of joy filled their home. Family members gathered to mark the occasion, adorning the space with balloons and a bright pink cake. They celebrated not only Mia’s milestone but also the reunion that had seemed uncertain just weeks earlier.
The family expressed their gratitude to Father Fabian Arias of Saint Peter’s Church, Congressman Dan Goldman, and their legal team for their support throughout the ordeal. As they blew out the candles on the cake, Hernandez’s GPS ankle monitor flashed—a reminder that their future remains uncertain.
“Ten years working here, being able to retire and provide my daughter with her own – the same for my wife,” Hernandez expressed, emphasizing his desire for a peaceful life moving forward. The family’s laughter echoed through the room, a testament to their resilience and hope for a brighter future.
