A man from Venezuela, José Gregorio González, who was detained by immigration authorities recently, preventing him from donating an organ to save his sick brother, is set to be released from detention. The family’s representation, a Chicago-based nonprofit, confirmed that González, currently held in the Clay County Detention Center in Indiana, may be released as early as Friday. The nonprofit, The Resurrection Project, had been advocating for González’s release on humanitarian grounds, and a spokesperson revealed that he would be allowed to save his brother’s life through a kidney donation.
In a statement, Eréndira Rendón, Chief Program Officer for The Resurrection Project, hailed the decision as a victory for humanity and compassion. The organization had organized a vigil to support the brothers and had gathered community members in Chicago to demand González’s release.
González, who arrived in the U.S. from Venezuela last year to be with his brother, has been caring for him since he was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease. By being granted temporary release on humanitarian grounds, González will be able to stay in the U.S. to provide care for his brother and undergo the life-saving organ donation. The terms of his temporary release by ICE have not been publicly disclosed.
González is the suitable kidney donor that his brother, José Alfredo Pacheco, urgently needs. Despite potential blood group incompatibility, González could still facilitate a transplant through a paired kidney exchange program, potentially saving another life in addition to his brother’s.
Pacheco, who undergoes dialysis three times a week, expressed his desire to live to see his children grow up. The turn of events has brought hope to the family, and they are grateful for the support received throughout this challenging time.
ICE utilizes orders of supervision to place immigrants into its monitoring programs, which are designed to keep track of undocumented individuals. These programs act as alternatives to detention, assisting immigration officials in monitoring individuals who are not deportation priorities or require additional time to explore legal options to remain in the U.S. Nearly 179,000 people are currently being monitored nationwide through these programs, according to ICE.
González, who has no criminal record, has been abiding by the terms of his order of supervision since he was initially enrolled in the program last year upon his entry into the U.S., as per Siegel Pacheco. Pacheco, who has a pending asylum case and is eligible for Medicaid through a state program, is on the waiting list for a kidney transplant at the University of Illinois Hospital.
In the absence of González’s kidney donation, Pacheco would have faced a delay of approximately five years for a “cadaver kidney transplant,” as per the letter from Pacheco’s medical team. The letter highlights the high mortality rate associated with dialysis while awaiting kidney transplantation and emphasizes that living donor kidney transplants offer the best chance of survival.
