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Jose C.: Ecuadorian church handyman held by ICE in overcrowded cells

Jose Criollo, a handyman and Bible reading translator at a Syracuse Catholic church, described overcrowded detention cells with elderly detainees after ICE arrested him outside a construction site.

Feb 1, 2026Syracuse, NYCountry of origin: Ecuador

Jose C.: Ecuadorian church handyman held by ICE in overcrowded cells
Photo via WAER

Jose Criollo, an undocumented immigrant from Ecuador who serves as the handyman and translates gospel readings at All Saints Catholic Church in Syracuse, was arrested by ICE agents on January 16 as he left a construction site with his daughter's boyfriend, Adrian Ramirez. After his family posted bond, Criollo was released and returned to the church in time for Sunday mass, where he described being held in overcrowded cells with no privacy for about three days, alongside elderly detainees in their 70s and 80s. Criollo has another hearing scheduled for February 10, while Ramirez remains in detention with a hearing on February 6.

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