A well-known Macoupin County restaurant owner from Mexico who was taken into ICE custody in Illinois after dropping his children off at school in October has been deported to his home country, according to his attorney.
Ismael Ayuzo Sandoval, 41, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Oct. 31 near Staunton Elementary School. His attorney confirmed that Sandoval was deported to Mexico and arrived there on Christmas Eve.
According to ICE, Sandoval first attempted to enter the United States illegally at age 19 and crossed the border four times between 2003 and 2005. He also had a misdemeanor DUI conviction in Illinois in 2008.
Sandoval’s arrest sparked an outpouring of support in the community. Just days later, nearly 300 people gathered in Staunton to rally on his behalf.
Attorney Marleen Suarez said Sandoval was initially held at the Ste. Genevieve County Detention Center in Missouri before being transferred to the Greene County Jail in Springfield, Missouri. His family later informed her that he was deported and reached Mexico on Christmas Eve.
The case drew attention from local leaders, including U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, who represents Staunton. She described Sandoval as a “beloved member of the Staunton community.”
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.
Leave a Reply