Octavio, his U.S. citizen wife, and his family were robbed and assaulted at gunpoint. He cooperated with the police and later testified against his attackers at trial, resulting in their convictions. Unfortunately, when Octavio was headed to the hospital to seek treatment for his family, he was stopped and arrested for driving without a license. He was then transferred to ICE custody even though he had no criminal convictions.
Since he was the victim of a serious crime, AI Justice submitted a request for his release noting that he was eligible for a U visa. It took three months, but Octavio was finally released. His detention not only cost taxpayers about $14,000, but it also exacerbated the stress on his wife, who suffers from a chronic illness and assault-related PTSD.