ICE released man formerly detained in Colorado without his ID in unfamiliar state

By: Lindsey Toomer

Outlets: Washington State Standard

Published: September 1, 2026

Words: 1,000

Last Updated: 10 hours, 33 minutes ago

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Rudy Villeda Mejía, who spent just over four months in immigration detention in Aurora, Colorado, is home with his family in northern Washington state.

His journey home was drawn out, as his family and attorney struggled to locate him when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement released him in a state more than 2,000 miles from home after the agency nearly deported him.

A judge ordered on Aug. 3 that ICE release Villeda Mejía, 47, from …

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