CHICAGO (WLS) — Standing and singing together in solidarity on Saturday, the city’s Southwest Side took a stand against immigration operations in Chicago. Community members 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 searching for someone else.

“I still remember that Saturday morning when I found out and the feeling of my heart crushing,” said family friend Mariela S. “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 being detained,” said Alcantar’s attorney, Katherine Greenslade. “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 with community members and leaders. They sent a unifying and clear message to Alcantar: 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,” said U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García.

“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,” said U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. “It’s cruelty.”

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

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

Saturday’s call 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 in the U.S. or be deported.

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

“We are here for you today and beyond,” said Deportation Defense organizer Jocelyn Aranda-Ortiz. “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 yet received a response.

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SEE ALSO: Anti-ICE protests held in Chicago area one month after fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis

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https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-man-federico-alcantar-ice-detention-months-arrested-immigration-agents-looking-someone-else-protesters-say/18562012/