CREDIT: GoFundme

Some people may believe that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) suddenly ramped up detentions after Donald Trump became president. While there’s certainly an increase in detainments of undocumented immigrants, ICE has been rounding up people way before that, too. One such individual was detained last fall.

Wildin Acosta, a senior at Riverside High School in Durham, North Carolina, faced deportation because he was affiliated with a gang.

The 19-year-old from Honduras had been living in Durham for three years before ICE officers detained him and threatened to deport him. Indy Week reported that Acosta and other undocumented teens were part of a gang known as the “NC6” that was targeted by ICE.

Acosta was detained in front of his home and taken to Stewart Detention Center, in Lumpkin, Georgia, for roughly 8 months, which meant he missed his graduation.

A group of social activists, along with family and many from the area including school officials worked diligently to get him released.

Why did #Durham teen detained for being in US illegally get 45 days of solitary confinement? https://t.co/kXtoANBURr pic.twitter.com/teNwhxtsbI

— The News & Observer (@newsobserver) June 16, 2016

Some also contributed to a fundraiser to pay his bond. They raised $11,870 from their $10,000 goal and were able to get him released.

A year later, he finally was able to get that high school diploma.

A Year Ago, Wildin Acosta Was in Solitary Awaiting Deportation. Yesterday, He Graduated from Riverside High. https://t.co/yutaMf6Zm4 pic.twitter.com/Uk3cbh0IWx

— Victoria Bouloubasis (@thisfeedsme) June 14, 2017

“This is a huge step for me,” Acosta said according to Indy Week. “And I think this the first step to help me achieve my other goals.”

On August 30, Acosta will be back in court, and will possibly walk out with a work permit and approval of his asylum request.

Acosta was asked what his plans are now that he has graduated high school.

Wildin Acosta talks about the 7 months he spent in detention as an undocumented alien after Federal agents picked him up from school. #abc11 pic.twitter.com/pfQtCfViCO

— Anthony Wilson (@AnthonyABC11) March 11, 2017

Acosta, who’s been close to deportation three times, replied: “You mean immediately, right? I’d like to take a break. Enjoy life a little bit.”

 

READ: Judge Says Immigration Officials Didn’t Follow Protocol With DREAMer Jessica Colotl

 

What do you think Wildin should do now since he graduated high school? Comment and hit the share button below!