Haitian student freed after judge grants habeas petition following ICE arrest near campus
Oct 16, 2026·Location: San Diego, CA
Country of origin: Haiti

Renatho Kemsley Casseus, a 20-year-old Haitian national and student at San Diego City College, was arrested by ICE agents on September 8, 2026, after unmarked vehicles boxed in his car near campus. A fellow passenger, also described as a student, fled on foot onto campus grounds before agents retreated upon realizing they were on college property. Casseus was held at Otay Mesa Detention Center after being denied bond by an immigration judge; his attorney, Wismick Saint-Jean, said he entered the U.S. through a CBP One appointment with an I-94 parole document and has a pending asylum application, while DHS disputed his student status and said he entered without authorization near El Paso, Texas, in May 2023. The arrest prompted a student rally, condemnation from Chancellor Greg Smith and local officials, and a statement that the college does not cooperate with ICE. A federal judge later granted Casseus's habeas corpus petition, ordering his release, and the college district announced new measures including text alerts for enforcement activity and expanded legal support for students.
Timeline
Sources
- San Diego City College student Renatho Casseus to be released from ICE detention
KPBS·Oct 17, 2026
- ICE arrests 1 person, chases another onto San Diego City College campus
NBC San Diego·Sep 8, 2026
- BREAKING: City College student arrested by ICE agents driving near campus, SDCCD confirms
- ICE agents arrest driver while passenger flees near San Diego City College
KPBS·Sep 8, 2026
- Elected leaders condemn ICE arrest at City College, John Marshal Elementary
KPBS·Sep 11, 2026
- Dramatic moment ICE agents snare college student in California before friend hides from them on campus
New York Post·Sep 9, 2026
- SDCCD statement regarding immigration enforcement action at San Diego City College
- NJ.com
- ICE agents arrest driver near San Diego City College, passenger flees to campus
10News·Sep 8, 2026
- CalMatters
- Judge orders release of City College student detained by federal immigration officers
Times of San Diego·Oct 16, 2026
- KPBS2 links
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