Illinois town in Trump territory backed a detained immigrant, and now he’s coming home

By Dana Rieck

March 1, 2017 8:08 PM

This Dec. 4, 2016 photo provided by Elizabeth Hernandez shows Elizabeth with her husband, Juan Carlos Hernandez Pacheco, at a concert in Chicago. Pacheco, who has been the manager of La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant in West Frankfort for a decade was arrested Feb. 9, 2017, by Immigration Customs and Enforcement officials and has been detained at an ICE facility in St. Louis. Pacheco came to the U.S. in the 1990s but didn’t obtain legal status.The southern Illinois community that solidly backed President Donald Trump is rallying behind Pacheco, who doesn’t have legal permission to live in the U.S. Town residents are writing letters in support, including the mayor and police chief. They deem Hernandez a role model, praising his robust civic involvement. Elizabeth Hernandez Provided to AP

A 38-year-old Mexican restaurant manager from West Frankfort was released on bond Wednesday in St. Louis after being detained by federal immigration officials last month.

WSIL Channel 3 reports that Carlos Hernandez Pacheco walked out of the Robert A. Young Federal building, “hugged a friend and then hoped in a limo to ride back to West Frankfort.”

The Associated Press reported that Pacheco’s southern Illinois community — who solidly backed Trump for president — rallied behind the immigrant after he was arrested Feb. 9 for being in the country illegally.

He came to the U.S. in the 1990s; however, his wife and three children are U.S. citizens.

WSIL reported that Pacheco’s hearing ended at 2 p.m. Wednesday, shortly after that his friends posted a $3,000 bond and he was on his way home.

West Frankfort residents and officials praised the man for his “robust civic involvement.” The AP reported that several people, including the mayor and police chief, have written letters in support for Pacheco.

Dana Rieck: 618-239-2642, @ByDanaRieck

This story was originally published March 1, 2017 at 8:08 PM with the headline "Illinois town in Trump territory backed a detained immigrant, and now he’s coming home."

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