Governor Kathy Hochul joined elected officials and community leaders on March 19 to welcome Dylan Lopez Contreras, a New York City high school student, back home after he was detained by federal immigration agents for ten months.
The event highlighted the challenges faced by immigrant families in New York and across the country. Hochul said that the situation endured by Lopez Contreras reflects broader issues with federal immigration enforcement and its impact on communities.
During her remarks, Hochul said, “This is a rare, bright day in the last year of torment from the Trump Administration. It’s gone on too long. Over the last 10 months, this smart young man, who has validly declared himself to be a New York Knicks fan. How can you not stand with him?”
She continued to describe how Lopez Contreras should have been focused on his education and supporting his family but instead was detained in Pennsylvania. “Yes, that is shameful, but this country should be better than that, and I’m sick and tired of families that are being terrorized throughout this nation, particularly in a place like New York,” Hochul said.
Hochul also expressed gratitude to advocates, lawyers, elected officials including Mayor Adams and Senator Schumer, for their efforts in supporting families affected by similar detentions. She noted ongoing communication with Tom Homan regarding other students still detained: “Dylan was at the top of that list, and I’m proud he is home… But my God, we’re better than this.”
The governor concluded her remarks by calling for continued action until all affected individuals are reunited with their loved ones: “But this day has to be replicated over and over and over until everyone is reunited with their loved ones. We are better than this as the United States of America and the great State of New York, and we must put an end to this insanity.”