Bay Area Tattoo Facing Possible ICE Detention Awaits Judge's Decision

SAN JOSE, CA — A San Jose tattoo artist facing possible detention by immigration authorities will have to wait for a judge's decision after his hearing concluded Friday in San Francisco.

Guillermo Medina Reyes went before an immigration judge inside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in downtown San Francisco for a bond hearing. Friday's hearing was to determine whether Medina Reyes will remain free or be sent to ICE detention.

The judge did not rule from the bench, saying he would communicate his decision to lawyers in writing, according to Danny Celaya, an organizer with the Community Service Organization of Oakland. The group organizes mobilization efforts for immigration rights and other issues.

Outside the ICE building, hundreds of faith leaders and immigrant rights activists rallied in song and prayer in support of Medina Reyes all Friday afternoon.

After the hearing ended Friday, Medina Reyes was not in custody, according to Celaya.

Medina Reyes came to the U.S. from Mexico at the age of 6 and said he grew up without a clear path to citizenship. He got involved in crime at a young age and was imprisoned for attempted murder at the age of 16.

He was released after 12 and a half years in prison, but immigration authorities quickly detained him, and he was taken to an immigration detention facility, where he was held for over a year.

After his release, the threat of being re-detained by ICE returned. Immigration authorities under President Donald Trump have stated that Medina Reyes is a threat to the public because of his criminal record.

In June, U.S. District Judge Rita Lin granted a preliminary injunction preventing ICE from detaining him without a bond hearing, which took place Friday.