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Ecuadorian government: Diego Puma not involved in gang activity, second stay of removal filed

Christopher J. Eberhart Seth Harrison
Rockland/Westchester Journal News

Ecuadorian government officials say that the 19-year-old Ossining High School student who's facing deportation was never involved in gang activity in his native country. 

That had been the reason U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement denied Diego Ismael Puma Macancela's bid to remain in the country. 

"We have reviewed our government records and have confirmed that he has no criminal record in Ecuador," Linda Machuca, Consulate General of Ecuador in New York, said in a letter to ICE. "Additionally, based on our evidence, he is not now, nor ever has been affiliated to the gang Sombra Negra or any other gang in Ecuador." 

Puma Macancela's attorneys have filed a second stay of removal on Friday and said the high school senior and his mother were seeking asylum in the U.S. because he was fleeing those same gangs.

Puma Macancela was arrested last week by ICE agents on the same day as his prom.

 

Earlier on Friday, classmates and supporters of the teenager held a rally outside Ossining High School to show their support.

Many of those rallying were high school students, including Jessenya Zhizhpon, Gabriel Lucero, Nathaly Tuquinahui and Janeth Viva.

The seniors came to the rally after a rehearsal for graduation, which takes place Saturday. 

"(Puma Macancela) was not practicing for graduation today with his friends. He's in jail," said Karin Anderson, lead attorney for Neighbor's Link, a Mount Kisco immigrants rights group that is representing the teenager. 

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Diana Ordonez, 21, of Yonkers was among about 40 supporters who held a rally outside of Ossining High School. Ordonez, originally from Mexico, came to this country when she was four years old, and has legal status under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), she said. 

Carola Bracco, executive director of Neighbors Link, said in a statement that they're "gratified" to see all the support from the community. 

“We have heard from mayors and town supervisors, Diego’s classmates, business owners and citizens who believe in fairness and who understand that immigrants are a positive force," Bracco said. "Diego is one of thousands of people whose lives will be at risk if they are deported to their home nations. We are heartened that this second stay application was submitted and we wait anxiously for a response.”

Twitter: @ChrisEberhart2