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Bolivian asylum-seeker held 17 months despite torture protections, released after Ebola outbreak halts Congo deportation

May 29, 2026 · Iowa City, IA, Bolivia

Bolivian asylum-seeker held 17 months despite torture protections, released after Ebola outbreak halts Congo deportation

José Yugar-Cruz, a 37-year-old Bolivian asylum-seeker, was granted temporary release from ICE custody on May 29, 2026, after an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo suspended deportations to that country. An immigration judge had ruled in January 2025 that Yugar-Cruz faced likely torture if returned to Bolivia and granted him withholding-of-removal relief under the Convention Against Torture, yet ICE detained him at an April 2026 check-in appointment and attempted to deport him to the DRC despite his court protection and lack of connection to that country. After being held for 17 months while ICE sought third countries willing to accept his deportation—including Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Mexico, and Canada—Yugar-Cruz challenged his indefinite detention in court in December 2025. The WHO declaration of an Ebola emergency in Congo on May 17, 2026, forced suspension of deportations to that destination, resulting in his temporary release following legal challenges and community advocacy.

Timeline

May 29, 2026Yugar-Cruz granted temporary release from ICE custody following legal challenges and Ebola-related deportation suspension after 17 months in detention
May 17, 2026WHO declared Ebola emergency in Democratic Republic of Congo, forcing suspension of deportations to that country
Apr 2026ICE detained Yugar-Cruz at check-in appointment and attempted deportation to Democratic Republic of Congo despite court protection
Dec 2025Yugar-Cruz filed legal challenge to his indefinite imprisonment while detained
Jan 2025Immigration judge ruled Yugar-Cruz faced likely torture if returned to Bolivia and granted withholding-of-removal relief under Convention Against Torture
Jul 2024José Yugar-Cruz fled Bolivia after torture by corrupt police

Sources

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