Representatives Ocasio-Cortez, Espaillat Statement on ICE Abduction of Bronx Resident Merwil Gutiérrez

April 23, 2025 Press Release QUEENS, NY – Today, Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released a joint statement on Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) abduction of Bronx resident Merwil Gutiérrez . On February 24, ICE detained 19-year-old Merwil Gutiérrez at the doorstep in front of his shared Bronx apartment. He had no criminal record or tattoos linking him to the Tren de Aragua gang. He was denied due process. “We are horrified by ICE’s abduction of Merwil Gutiérrez, who was violently taken from his doorstop in the Bronx and deported to El Salvador. Like many others sent to CECOT, a mega-prison infamous for human rights abuses, Merwil was torn away from his father and our community, without due process, without any criminal charges, and without an order of deportation from a judge. His family is heartbroken and thinks he was deported by mistake. Whether Kilmar Ábrego García or Merwil Gutiérrez, ICE's attacks on due process are threats to all of our fundamental rights. Our offices have been in touch with the family to support and we will not rest until Merwil is back where he belongs: at home in the Bronx.” ### Issues : Immigration