the staff of the Ridgewood blog
GLEN ROCK, NJ — A beloved custodian at the Glen Rock Jewish Center was unexpectedly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during his asylum interview on Monday, sparking public outcry and an urgent plea for support from local officials.
Mayor Kristine Morieko issued a passionate call for help on Tuesday night, urging residents and community members to write letters of support for Jorge Tomas Dagar Aquino, a longtime member of the Glen Rock community who has lived in the United States for over 20 years.
📍 Detained Without Explanation
Jorge, who fled Colombia due to gang violence and economic instability, was taken into ICE custody around noon on Monday, June 16, while attending his asylum interview at the Newark Asylum Office, accompanied by his attorney.
According to Mayor Morieko, he was not shown paperwork, informed of charges, or given any explanation for his arrest, an act she described as a “direct violation of due process.”
🕍 A Cherished Member of the Glen Rock Community
Jorge has worked at the Glen Rock Jewish Center (GRJC) since 2013, becoming a full-time custodian in 2020. He is widely regarded as a kind and dedicated presence, known for quietly contributing to the well-being and dignity of the center.
“Over the years, he has become an integral part of our community — not only through his work, but also through his relationships, his kindness, and his quiet contributions,” said Mayor Morieko in her public statement.
✍️ Community Call to Action: Letters of Support Needed
In response to the detention, the mayor is requesting hand-signed letters of support addressed to the Glen Rock Jewish Center. These letters will be used to support Jorge’s release and continued stay in the U.S.
🕗 Deadline: Wednesday, June 18, by 8 a.m.
📍 Where to Send or Drop Off:
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Email Scanned Letters: mneedl@gmail.com
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Physical Drop-Off: Glen Rock Jewish Center (GRJC)
Mayor Morieko also offered personal assistance, saying:
“If you live far, I will personally come to you to pick up and deliver them to the GRJC.”
🔍 What’s Next?
Jorge is currently being held in an ICE detention facility as his legal team works to advocate for his release. Community leaders and immigration advocates are monitoring the situation closely.
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Absolutely not.
he’s here as an ILLEGAL ALIEN
There is a process that ALL who seek citizenship must abide by and this gentleman did not.
he jumped the line ahead of many who took the legal route and now that action has come full circle.
it’s the law.
what about the others that are waiting mayor?
what do you have to say t them????
He has lived here for 20 years….entering the US well before the US starting cracking down on illegal immigrants. And he’s going through the process of becoming legal. His crime is coming here illegally 20 years ago and then positively contributing the community for the next 20 years without incident. Arresting him is wrong. Sorry, not sorry.
Illegal is illegal. No exceptions. Sorry not sorry.
He is not here illegally! Why does everyone assume that that’s the case? He is here legally and has the paperwork to prove it.
Then how can he be detained? What does he need letters of support for if his paperwork is legitimate?
This is what we voted for. Stop trying to get in the way.
He had a nice run.
He got away with it for 20 years.
Time to go.
Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time.
-TB
He is not in an illegal alien! He has all the paperwork to prove it. You should really do your homework before you make accusations like that.
BS. If he has the paperwork then he doesn’t need letters of support from the community does he?
So if you got swept up in an ICE raid, despite being able to validate your SS# and produce a birth certificate and maybe even a picture of yourself standing next to Thomas Jefferson as he spills port on a draft of the Constitution, you’d be languishing for days in a detention center unless one your neighbors produced a character reference for you? LOL.
You gotta turn off CNN. Get some help for the TDS. The hysterical libtards literally think ICE is just sweeping up innocent people and carting them all off to El Salvador because Orange Man.
You go do your homework and don’t be ashamed to hire a tutor. Everyone needs a little help sometimes.
And the guy in Les Mis who stole the loaf a bread to feed his family should go back to jail, too?
How much were they paying him?
Was he on regular payroll?
Did they provide medical benefits?
Inquiring minds want to know.
You know, Glen Rock always takes the high and mighty positions.
So the GRJC was employing someone who was not able to work in this country legally?
Clarification would be appreciated
time to start the impeachment procedings
That is not correct.
They are coached into the escaping violence rhetoric by leftists. Unless you are engaged on gang activities, life in Colombia is peaceful and has been for years.
Can you imagine what’s gonna happen in another six months with all these arrest, you’re not gonna be able to find laborers, all these kids that are going to these high ranking colleges it’s gonna be no jobs for them except blue collar. It’s happening right now big layoffs in tech,
get off your fat @$$ and do your own work.
Yeah, tell that to all the people that can’t or won’t do their own landscaping and yard work or their own housecleaning. The list could go on.
“Can you imagine what’s gonna happen in another six months with all these arrest, you’re not gonna be able to find laborers,…”
I Agree.
I like Slave Labor too.