A Queens father, Manuel Mejia Hernandez, has been released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention just in time to celebrate Christmas and his daughter’s first birthday. Hernandez was reunited with his wife, Alexandra Alvarez, and their daughter, Mia Hernandez, at LaGuardia Airport on December 5, 2025, after spending several months in custody.
Alvarez waited anxiously at the airport on the eve of Mia’s birthday, holding her daughter close as they anticipated Hernandez’s arrival. The family had been separated since October 22, when Hernandez was detained during a routine check-in with immigration officials. He faced a lengthy ordeal that included being transferred to various detention centers, culminating in his release just before the holiday.
When Hernandez finally descended the escalator, he wore the same clothes he had on the day he was detained. The moment was filled with emotion as he embraced his family for the first time in months. Mia, who had not seen her father since she was just a few months old, initially did not recognize him. Nevertheless, Hernandez quickly scooped her up, and the family shared a heartfelt reunion amidst the backdrop of the airport’s Christmas decorations.
“I feel a weight has been lifted. It’s like I am not carrying a burden anymore,” Alvarez expressed. “I’m so grateful to God and for everything that has happened.”
While the family celebrated their reunion, Hernandez continues to wear a GPS ankle monitor, a reminder of his recent incarceration. He recounted the harsh conditions he endured during his detention, including being shackled and subjected to inadequate food and medical care. “They put us in shackles and transferred us to El Paso, Texas. During that trip, they tightened the handcuffs on my ankles too much. My ankles hurt. They even kicked me,” he said, highlighting the inhumane treatment faced by detainees.
Hernandez’s journey began when he attempted to protect young people in his community in Ecuador from drug dealing, which ultimately led to his family’s perilous escape after their home was bombed. “You have to keep quiet because it’s worse to say that you know who they are because that costs your life. They’re going to kill your family,” Alvarez explained, emphasizing the dangers they faced in their homeland.
As the family prepared for Mia’s birthday celebration, the atmosphere in their home transformed from one of uncertainty to joy. They decorated the space with bright balloons and a pink birthday cake. Family members gathered to celebrate not only Mia’s first birthday but also the reunion, taking time to express their gratitude to Father Fabian Arias of Saint Peter’s Church, Congressman Dan Goldman, and their legal team for their support in securing Hernandez’s release.
As they blew out the birthday candles, the family made a collective wish for stability and togetherness. “Ten years working here, being able to retire and provide my daughter with her own – the same for my wife,” Hernandez shared, expressing his hopes for a peaceful future. “To continue. To live peacefully. A peaceful life as I’ve always had.”
The emotional reunion illustrates the ongoing struggles faced by many immigrant families in the United States, highlighting the human impact of immigration policies. Hernandez’s release serves as a reminder of the need for compassion and understanding in addressing the complexities of immigration and the lives at stake.
