Judge Denies Petition to Release Rochester Business Owner from ICE Custody

Ramos-Jimenez has been living in the U.S. illegally for 21 years, according to the judge's order.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A Rochester business owner, Omar Ramos-Jimenez, has been denied release from the federal immigration detention center in Batavia, New York. Ramos-Jimenez, originally from Mexico, filed a legal challenge to his detention in ICE custody, arguing that his due process rights have been violated. However, a judge denied his requests and granted ICE's motion to dismiss the petition, ruling that Ramos-Jimenez is not entitled to a bond hearing because he has not been formally admitted to the U.S.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions and legal battles surrounding immigration enforcement and the rights of undocumented immigrants in the United States. It raises questions about due process, detention policies, and the challenges faced by immigrant business owners and their families.

The details

According to the petition, immigration agents took Ramos-Jimenez into custody after he went to the Buffalo ICE Field Office on December 3 for a 'routine check-in appointment'. The petition claims that Ramos-Jimenez was denied a bond hearing and an individualized hearing for domestic civil detention. However, the judge ruled that Ramos-Jimenez has been living in the U.S. illegally for 21 years, since September 2004, and is therefore not entitled to a bond hearing.

  • On December 3, Ramos-Jimenez was taken into custody by immigration agents after a routine check-in appointment.
  • In December, hundreds gathered at the United Presbyterian Church in downtown Rochester, calling for ICE to release Ramos-Jimenez.
  • On February 26, 2026, the judge denied Ramos-Jimenez's petition and granted ICE's motion to dismiss.

The players

Omar Ramos-Jimenez

A Rochester business owner, originally from Mexico, who has been living in the U.S. illegally for 21 years and is currently in ICE custody.

ICE

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, which took Ramos-Jimenez into custody and is seeking to deport him.

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What’s next

Ramos-Jimenez's attorney has filed a motion to appeal the judge's ruling denying his release from ICE custody.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges and legal battles faced by undocumented immigrants in the U.S., even those who have established businesses and lives in their local communities. It raises questions about the balance between immigration enforcement and due process rights.