Looks like the joke’s on him!
A Venezuelan migrant took a bold move by requesting bail to avoid ICE arrest, but he may end up spending weeks or longer at Rikers Island, regardless of whether he posts the $100 bail.
Nolveiro Vera Ordonez, 30, is likely to be taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement once his state case for petty theft is concluded.
Even though he tried to outsmart ICE by staying in jail, Ordonez will be picked up by immigration authorities after his court proceedings, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the state Office of Court Administration.
An immigration lawyer found Ordonez’s strategy amusing but not very effective. Rikers Island may not be the ideal place to avoid facing immigration issues.
Ordonez’s legal troubles began when he was caught stealing a bicycle in Harlem, leading to his arrest and subsequent arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court.
However, a federal criminal warrant from Texas for crossing the US-Mexico border illegally in 2022 posed a bigger problem for him.
Despite the unusual request for bail, Ordonez will remain in custody due to the federal warrant, effectively blocking his release.
City policies regarding sanctuary cities may not benefit Ordonez in this situation, as they do not interfere with criminal immigration charges.
Despite the challenges, Ordonez’s lawyer did not provide any comments on the matter.
It seems that staying in local jail may offer more rights to individuals facing immigration issues, as opposed to immigration detention centers.
Immigration jails can be difficult to navigate, potentially leading to lengthy stays for those detained.
— Additional reporting by Joe Marino and Jennie Taer
