Community Outrage as Beloved Restaurant Manager Detained by ICE

Pacific Grove Community Rallies Behind Restaurant Manager Detained by ICE A wave of support is building in Pacific Grove, California, for Juan Portillo Contreras, a local restaurant manager detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last week. Contreras, known as "JC," was taken into custody during a routine check-in with ICE, a requirement under his current asylum claim. His family states that he had recently returned to El Salvador for his father's funeral before returning to the United States. Liz, the owner of Wild Fish restaurant where Contreras worked, expressed her shock and concern. "I knew something was wrong when JC didn't show up for work," she said. "He's a valued member of our community." The community is now rallying for his release, with many holding signs reading, "Bring him home!" Court records show Contreras has three misdemeanor DUIs in Monterey County since 2004 and a misdemeanor for resisting arrest in 2017. He is currently being held at a detention center near Los Angeles. The case highlights the complexities of immigration law and the impact on individuals and their communities. While Contreras has a history of misdemeanor offenses, his supporters emphasize his contributions to Pacific Grove and his family's plea for his return. The ongoing situation underscores the ongoing debate surrounding immigration policies and their human cost.