Detained Filipino father transferred to Mississippi as county probes ICE cooperation
Aug 10, 2026·Location: Jersey City, NJ
Country of origin: Philippines

A Filipino national from Cebu, identified in recent reporting as Raul Raagas, was arrested by ICE during a traffic stop in Jersey City following a July 24 family court hearing, and has since been transferred from the Elizabeth, New Jersey facility to a detention center in Mississippi. According to the Philippine Consulate General in New York, he entered the United States decades ago on an athlete visa through the Gintong Alay sports program, and the Consulate reported he is in good spirits and good condition. Raagas, 30, is the father of two U.S. citizen children, and Hudson County officials are investigating possible cooperation between county employees and ICE in connection with his detention. His bond hearing, originally set for Aug. 20, was postponed twice before finally taking place on Sept. 30.
Sources
- Pinoy arrested by ICE, 2 other Filipinos repatriated —PH Consulate in New York
gmanetwork.com·Aug 10, 2026·archived copy
- Filipino Worker Detained by ICE in Elizabeth; Community Leaders Mobilize for His Release
philippinedailymirror.com·Aug 1, 2026·archived copy
- Jersey City lawmaker, NY assemblymember call for release of Filipino resident detained by ICE - The Outstanding Filipino Awards (TOFA)
tofanews.com·Jul 31, 2026
- Hudson County Investigates ICE’s Arrest of Undocumented Man Following Court Hearing
jcitytimes.com·Oct 3, 2026
- Raul Raagas now in Mississippi, as families of detained Filipinos condemn PHL government’s alleged inaction
thefilam.net·Aug 25, 2026
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