A lifesaving bond: How ICE detention couldn’t stop a brother’s sacrifice

An extraordinary gesture highlighting the powerful bond between siblings led José Gregorio González to be granted temporary release from ICE detention on Friday, April 4, so that he could donate a kidney to his brother. A community effort, aided by Illinois members of Congress and the Resurrection Project, has made this loving act of sacrifice possible.

When José Pacheco González arrived in America three years ago seeking a better life for his family, he could never have imagined the challenges he would face to stay alive. After just one year of seeking asylum in the United States, he was diagnosed with kidney disease. The news of the eventual need for a new kidney prompted José Pacheco’s brother, José Gregorio, to come to the U.S. to be a potential donor and his brother’s caregiver.

Gregorio was denied initial entrance at the southern border, but was eventually allowed to travel to Chicago under immigration supervision. In an interview with News Nation, attorney Peter Meinecke, representing the brothers, said of Gregorio, "He was picked up because he does have a removal order in his case. He was given a removal order because when he initially entered, he entered with the primary intention of donating his kidney to his brother and therefore was not able to establish a credible fear of return to Venezuela, which is one of the conditions for entering removal proceedings and being permitted to present a defense against deportation with an immigration judge.” 

A petition signed by 1,800 community members, along with the support of Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin, Rep. Jesús ‘Chuy’ Garcia, and the assistance of the Resurrection Project, advocated for the release of José Gregorio. 

In a statement to WTTW News, Erendira Rendón, chief programs officer for the Resurrection Project, called Gregorio’s release “a victory for humanity and compassion. This decision recognizes that our fundamental human rights transcend immigration status and that our communities can demand that our humanity be recognized.”

Gregorio told News Nation’s BJ Lutz, Courtney Spinelli, and Jewell Hillery in an interview that one of the first things he wanted to do was call his mother so that she could see him and Pacheco together again. Both brothers said they were grateful for all the support and happy to be reunited. 

The brothers are now waiting for their appointments with doctors of the transplant team at the University of Illinois Medical Center to learn about the next steps in the kidney transplant process, confirms Fox32 Chicago.

According to advocates with The Resurrection Project, even if Gregorio is ultimately not an exact match for his brother, he will still be able to donate his kidney to save someone else. As part of the kidney swap program, another person’s family member or close friend could donate a kidney in return, saving two lives. For now, the family is living in the moment, taking things day by day.

While in the U.S., Gregorio has been granted permission to apply for a work permit. However, he may still be deported a year from the date of his release, when the permit runs out. Advocates with The Resurrection Project said José Gregorio is willing to return to Venezuela after the life-saving operation.

Despite the challenges of being detained by ICE and waiting to hear word of a release, both brothers remained determined, knowing that Pacheco would be granted a second chance at life. This extraordinary gesture highlights the powerful bond between siblings and serves as a reminder of the lengths one will go to for family, even when faced with immense challenges.