Wayne County woman held by ICE after routine check-in set to be released

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A local woman detained by ICE will soon be released.

Dolores Bustamante has no criminal record, but was detained by ICE in April during a routine check-in with immigration authorities. Bustamante is currently in custody at a facility in Alleghany County.

This is a developing story, and we are digging to learn more about Dolores’ release. It will continue to be updated as we learn new information.

Background on Bustamante

Bustamante is farm worker from Wayne County. She was taken into custody by ICE during a routine check-in in April in Buffalo. Moments after her detention, her lawyer filed a motion in federal court in Rochester to keep her in the country. Days later, we learned Bustamante is now in ICE custody in Louisiana.

Judge Meredith Vacca ordered ICE to “refrain from transferring” Bustamante “out of the country” until the court deals with the motion.

News10NBC Chief Investigative Reporter Berkeley Brean has been tracking Bustamante’s case and attending her court appearances.

News10 Investigates: The Detention Surge

Bustamante’s story isn’t unique. A recent News10NBC investigation found many people detained by ICE had no criminal record. Berkeley investigated ICE detentions and deportations. He found 24 ICE detentions in Monroe County during the last two years of the Biden administration. In the first 18 months under President Trump, there were 393 detentions — a 1,500 percent increase.

That includes the father of Cassandra Bocanegra. ICE detained her dad Omar during a routine ICE check-in just before Christmas. He walked through the same doors as Bustamante and like her, never came out.

When News10NBC dug deeper, it found more than 600 people detained in the Finger Lakes. Most aren’t connected to violent crime. Eight out of 10 have no record or no pending charges.

CLICK HERE: View interactive maps comparing portions of President Biden and President Trump’s terms

Community rallies for Bustamante

Shortly after her detainment, over 150 supporters gathered in Rochester rallying for her release. Members of her family fought back tears as they spoke about her impact. They said it’s been difficult not knowing when they’ll see Bustamante again.