ICE detained Chicago Public Schools custodian Josue Pire Hidalgo and family at scheduled asylum appointment

On July 17, 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Josue Pire Hidalgo, a Chicago Public Schools custodian from Venezuela, along with his wife and two children, when the family arrived at ICE's downtown Chicago office for their asylum check-in appointment — an appointment they had waited more than three years to attend. Only Pire Hidalgo remained in ICE custody; his wife and children were released the same day under an ankle monitor after officials cited their 6-year-old daughter's asthma. Their 13-year-old son had to translate the news of his father's detention to his mother, who does not speak English.

Pire Hidalgo and his wife entered the United States in late 2022, applied for asylum, obtained work permits, and both went on to work as Chicago Public Schools custodians; Pire Hidalgo has worked in the district since July 2025, most recently at Farnsworth Elementary School in Jefferson Park. Neither has a criminal record or an existing deportation order. Advocates say the case fits a broader pattern of ICE increasingly detaining people with pending, lawful immigration cases during required check-ins, courthouse visits, and traffic stops rather than in large-scale workplace raids.

CPS said in a statement that it verifies all new hires hold legal work authorization and "provides support and resources to international employees when immigration issues arise," but did not comment further, citing personnel-privacy practices. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said it could not immediately comment. SEIU Local 73, which represents CPS support staff, called the detention a blow against immigrant workers who "did everything correctly." Pire Hidalgo, who has a hearing impairment, was transferred to a jail in Clay County, Indiana, without the battery for his hearing aid.

Updates

2026-07-28 — Bond hearing scheduled for Pire Hidalgo [1]

Pire Hidalgo's wife told the Chicago Tribune a bond hearing had been scheduled for this date.

2026-08-03 — Pire Hidalgo remained in ICE custody two weeks after detention [3]

CBS News Chicago reported Pire Hidalgo remained in ICE custody more than two weeks after the detention, amid a broader increase in ICE and TSA detaining immigrants with pending legal cases or valid work authorization at airports and other required check-ins.