Yesterday, neighbors (who are also lawyers) who have been following and helping with Luis Fernandez’s case reported that he was successful in his court case, and the judge had approved him to be released with a $5000 bond. Well, turns out there’s another hitch.

Neighbors Kris Brown and Claude Millman, who are in regular communication with Luis’ lawyers, now report that ICE immediately appealed the immigration judge’s order and delayed his release — arguing that he cannot be released on bond. Luis’ lawyers now have 10 days to file an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) — the highest administrative body for interpreting and applying immigration laws.

The BIA is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and mainly reviews decisions made by immigration judges and certain Department of Homeland Security officers.

The critical stage now is that Luis’ lawyers are prepared to defend and counter any appeal ICE makes…

Stay tuned.