The wrong turn that saw this man end up in ICE custody
Sergio Ramirez took a wrong turn that led him across the Canadian border: he is now in an ICE detention centre.
A single mistake can cost those without legal immigration status in the United States their freedom. That is the case of Sergio Ramírez, who—after a wrong turn with his wife—ended up in Canada and is now being held in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centre in Michigan.
Kristina Ramírez, a U.S. citizen and Sergio’s wife, told Telemundo that the incident happened in early May when the couple mistakenly drove onto the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Detroit, Michigan, with Windsor, Canada.
When they attempted to re-enter the United States, immigration officials arrested them. What seemed at first like a routine customs stop quickly escalated: Kristina was detained for three days, while Sergio has now spent three months behind bars. His attorney told the press that he had been in the process of applying for a U nonimmigrant visa since 2019, after being the victim of an assault.
In addition to his pending U visa application, Sergio holds a work permit and a Social Security number. He has lived in Chicago, Illinois, for the past 20 years. His next court hearing, scheduled for next week, will determine his fate.
Every day, thousands of travelers, tourists, and truck drivers cross the Ambassador Bridge. But many also find themselves there by mistake—a situation that can prove disastrous for undocumented immigrants, as it did for Sergio Ramírez.
Drivers who accidentally enter the bridge can end up at a Customs and Border Protection checkpoint. Navigating the area is notoriously difficult, even for Detroit residents, due to confusing signage and ongoing construction.
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For those without legal status, such mistakes often lead to detention. Some are deported, while others remain in ICE custody for months. Sergio Ramírez is currently being held at the Monroe County Jail in Michigan as he awaits the outcome of his case.
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