Raul Raagas, 63, a Jersey City resident detained by ICE since July 24, 2026, is shown in a photo from a GoFundMe page supporting his family.
NEWARK, NJ — Filipino immigrant Raul Raagas, a longtime New Jersey resident originally from Cebu City, Philippines, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on his way to work earlier this week. He is currently being held at the CoreCivic Elizabeth Detention Center, a privately run immigration facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey that has faced repeated scrutiny from advocates for its conditions and lack of transparency.
Raagas, who has lived in the United States for three decades, was reportedly stopped during a routine morning commute. According to family friends, he has relatives in New Jersey and extended family in Queens, where he frequently participates in Filipino community gatherings. Loved ones describe him as “a quiet, hardworking man who keeps to himself and always shows up for others.”
His sudden detention has sparked concern among Filipino American leaders in New Jersey and New York, who say the case highlights ongoing fears within immigrant communities about unpredictable enforcement actions.
Local Officials Step In
Jersey City Councilman Rolando R. Lavarro Jr., a longtime advocate for immigrant rights, confirmed that he is assisting the Raagas family and coordinating with legal support networks.
“This is exactly why we continue to fight for due process and humane treatment for our immigrant communities,” Lavarro said in a statement. “Raul deserves a fair review of his case, and he deserves to be reunited with his family while that process moves forward.”
Lavarro added that his office is working with community partners to ensure Raagas has access to legal counsel and support services. Raagas first came to the United States in 1993 and settled in Jersey City in the late 1990s, where he met his wife, Janet. He went on to build a life and raise his family in the city, working for years in sanitation services. He and his wife have two children and are longtime members of Jersey City’s Filipino community.
New York State Assemblymember Steven Raga, the first Filipino American elected to the New York State Legislature, also expressed concern and pledged assistance. “Our community is strongest when we show up for one another,” Raga said. “We are monitoring Raul’s situation closely and coordinating with advocates to help secure his release. No one should face detention alone.”
Both officials emphasized that Raagas’ case reflects broader issues affecting Filipino immigrants, many of whom work essential jobs and maintain deep ties to their neighborhoods.
Advocates Call for Transparency and Release
Immigrant rights groups in New Jersey have long criticized the CoreCivic Elizabeth Detention Center for its conditions, citing reports of inadequate medical care, limited visitation access, and prolonged detention times. Community organizers say Raagas’ case underscores the need for oversight and alternatives to detention.
“Raul is not a threat. He is a community member, a worker, and a family man,” said a representative from a local Filipino advocacy group. “We are urging ICE to release him immediately while his case is reviewed.”
Legal volunteers are currently gathering documentation to support his release request, including employment records, community references, and family ties. Raagas is a member of LIUNA Local 741, and a statement emphasized the severe financial hardship his detention has caused his family. A GoFundMe page was established to support the family.
Family Appeals for Compassion
Raagas’ relatives say they are overwhelmed but grateful for the support from Filipino American leaders. “We just want him home,” one family member shared. “He has always worked hard and stayed out of trouble. This has shaken all of us.”
As of Friday evening, advocates continue to push for a bond hearing or humanitarian release. Lavarro and Raga both said they will remain engaged until Raagas is safely reunited with his family.
