Roosevelt teen misses June graduation after being taken into ICE custody
Alvaro Castro Velasquez was taken into ICE custody several weeks before he was set to graduate from Roosevelt Senior High School.
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Roosevelt educators are rallying around Alvaro Castro Velasquez - from afar.
The 19-year-old, who came to the country illegally from Guatemala as an unaccompanied minor, was taken into ICE custody, just weeks before he was set to graduate from Roosevelt Senior High School.
He is being held in Texas.
His lawyer tells News 12 that today Castro Velasquez agreed to voluntary departure on Tuesday, which means he will self-deport.
Jessica Harrison taught the teen.
“You feel completely helpless in situations like this,” Harrison said.
Castro Velasquez looked out for her during a difficult pregnancy. She said he didn’t want her to “overexert” herself and he would offer to help her hang things and carry things, too.
She described him as respectful, caring and motivated.
Roosevelt Superintendent Dr. Shawn K. Wightman visited Castro Velasquez in Texas, hoping to hand him his diploma and cap and gown - he took a vacation day and paid for the trip himself.
While he was not allowed to bring them inside, he was able to meet with his student.
“I felt compelled to go. Every student deserves to be treated the same, with dignity and care," he says.
