Legal Immigrant Who Bartends In Hoboken Was Detained By ICE, Colleagues Say

HOBOKEN, NJ — A bar in Hoboken is raising funds for their bartender, who they say is in the custody of immigration officials despite being in the country legally.

Sebastian Pasco, a bartender at Cork City Pub in downtown Hoboken, holds a Green Card, the bar noted in a social media post on Wednesday night. Otherwise known as a Permanent Resident Card, the document means he's a legal immigrant on the path to citizenship, and can work and live in the country.

In a GoFundMe page set up to pay Pasco's legal fees, organizer Daniel DeKemper said Pasco was detained in Florida on Friday after re-entering the country. The post did not make it clear whether agents gave a reason for his detainment.

"We are now anxiously awaiting a hearing that will hopefully lead to his release," DeKemper wrote. "This sudden and distressing situation has left Sebastian unable to work and separated from his community, friends, and loved ones.

"Sebastian is a cherished member of the Cork City Pub family in Hoboken, and his absence is deeply felt by everyone who knows him. The legal process ahead is both complicated and costly, and the uncertainty has placed a significant financial burden on Sebastian."

The fundraiser had raised $18,800 of a $24,000 goal as of Thursday afternoon.

On Feb. 1, ICE agents detained 10 people in Jersey City, causing controversy. At least one arrest was made at the Light Rail elevator from Jersey City to Hoboken, an incident videotaped by Jersey City Councilman Jake Ephros, in which an agent said, "We don't need a warrant, bro." The comment drew a response from Gov. Mikie Sherrill.

A news report in the British media last year shared government statistics about the number of people in immigration detention centers, and how many had past criminal records.

Patch reached out to the bar, DeKemper, and spokespersons for the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and will update this story if more information is available.

The fundraiser is here.