Chicago man in ICE detention for months is sole guardian of younger siblings, demonstrators say

Chicago man in ICE detention for months is sole guardian of younger siblings, demonstrators say

Christian Piekos, Karen Jordan

Sun, February 8, 2026 at 12:20 AM UTC

2 min read

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Community members in Chicago's Southwest Side rally together in support of 22-year-old Federico Alcantar, calling for his release from ICE detention after being arrested during a traffic stop.
Elected officials, community leaders, and supporters gather at St. Pius Catholic Church to send a message of solidarity to Alcantar, emphasizing the importance of keeping families together in the United States.
Alcantar, who is the sole guardian of his younger siblings, faces a crucial immigration hearing on February 19 to determine his fate, as community members urge federal leaders to show mercy and compassion.

Standing and singing together in solidarity on Saturday, the city's Southwest Side took a stand together against immigration operations in Chicago.

They are calling for the release of 22-year-old Federico Alcantar, who has been in ICE detention for months after being arrested allegedly at gunpoint during an October traffic stop by immigration agents who were looking for someone else.

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"I still remember that Saturday morning when I found out and the feeling of my heart crushing," family friend Mariela S. said. "All I could think of was he didn't deserve this."

Alcantar is the sole guardian of his two younger siblings.

"Under normal circumstances, he would have been out on bond within weeks of him being detained," Alcantar's attorney Katherine Greenslade said. "Instead, our government is spending incredible amounts of time and money to keep a young man from going to work or providing for his siblings."

During a packed Saturday morning news conference at St. Pius Catholic Church in the Pilsen neighborhood, elected officials at all levels of government rallied together, along with community members and leaders. They are sending a unifying and clear message so Alcantar knows he is not alone and he is loved.

"The only just thing for him to do is to be released by ICE and Homeland Security," U.S. Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García said.

"What I have heard about Federico today is he was the best of the best. He was standing up for his siblings, so this is not a matter of justice or protection," U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said. "It's cruelty."

Community organizers say Alcantar's mother died of cancer, while his father was murdered in Mexico, building a case to keep Alcanta and his family together in the United States.

"We have a federal administration wreaking havoc on our communities," Illinois Sen. Rachel Ventura said. "Causing fear and chaos to tear families apart. We must not allow this."

Saturday's cry for help and mercy comes ahead of a critical moment in Alcantar's story. He is set to appear before an immigration judge on Thursday, Feb. 19, who will determine whether he can stay or be deported.

Community members pray their message of hope resonates with federal leaders.

"We are here for you today and beyond," Deportation Defense organizer Jocelyn Aranda-Ortiz said. "What we share here today cannot end here. The presence we saw here today, the voices, the solidarity is only the beginning."

ABC7 has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security but has not heard back.

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