ICE released man formerly detained in Aurora without his ID in unfamiliar state

By: Lindsey Toomer

Outlets: Colorado Newsline

Published: August 31, 2026

Words: 1,090

Last Updated: 6 days, 9 hours ago


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Rudy Villeda Mejía, who spent just over four months in immigration detention in Aurora, is home with his family in northern Washington state.

His journey home was drawn out, as his family and attorney struggled to locate him when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement released him in a state more than 2,000 miles from home after the agency nearly deported him.

A judge ordered on Aug. 3 that ICE release Villeda …

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