Danbury Man Detained By Immigration Officials In New Mexico

DANBURY, CT — A man who entered the U.S. from Mexico at age six and has spent the majority of his life in Danbury is being held in a detention center after his protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program lapsed, according to friends organizing an online fundraiser.

Bryhan Rojas, 26, a 2011 graduate of Henry Abbott Technical School in Danbury, came to the city with his parents close to 20 years ago, according to the GoFundMe campaign established Monday by his friends. At Abbott, he studied to be an electrician, and aspired to be a tattoo artist, according to the campaign page.

While traveling cross-country with his girlfriend, Rojas, a DACA recipient since 2017, was detained at an immigration checkpoint in New Mexico.

"There was a lapse in Bryan’s DACA paperwork and it was up for renewal in February 2019," according to the GoFundMe campaign. "Bryhan was actively working on becoming a citizen and establishing himself in a legal manner. He was following the rules to the best of his knowledge and he was unaware that his DACA paperwork needed to be updated so quickly."

The campaign organizers say that have spoken with Rojas on the phone and have had the opportunity to speak with multiple immigration lawyers and "realize how difficult this battle can be."

"If Bryhan is set bail and can be bonded out, it is estimated his bond could cost between $10,000-50,000. The initial cost of an attorney is $3,500. These costs will undoubtedly increase," according to the organizers.

The GoFundMe campaign has set a goal of $5,000 "which should cover some of the initial costs and we hope to exceed this number," Rojas friends posted.

Rojas' friends are also hoping that his former employers, teachers and other associates will contribute letters of support to be presented at his bond hearing.

More information on how to contribute either financially or with letters of support is available on the GoFundMe campaign site.

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