Restaurant manager expresses gratitude after release from ‘Alligator Alcatraz’
By Jade Jarvis
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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (WPBF) — We’re hearing from the Palm Beach restaurant manager who was detained and then released from the immigration detention facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz.”
Jose Gonzalez spent twelve days at the facility after being detained during a traffic stop.
He said he has a great deal of gratitude for his family, friends, customers, and community that has rallied around him during this time.
“Thank God for being home, bringing me home. And thank the whole beautiful community who stand up for me. And I just can’t thank enough. I have no words,” Gonzalez said.
On Dec. 10, Gonzalez said he was driving with his nephew when they were pulled over for a window tint violation, detained, and taken to the detention center.
“I tried to explain to my nephew we have to be calm and respect the rules,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez, who is the manager of BiCE Ristorante on Palm Beach, spent 12 days at the facility.
He said he felt like he was treated with respect and was fed three meals a day, but that it was cold with open toilets and little privacy.
He also said people at the facility tried to encourage him to self-deport to Mexico, but he refused. His nephew, however, took them up on their offer.
“I read the Bible. I read and talk to other people that are there and try to sleep. And I’m not even sleeping,” Gonzalez said.
Then, on Monday, an unexpected but welcome surprise — he was being released.
“I was very confused because I didn’t sleep the whole night. So, I literally tried to close my eyes for five minutes when I heard my name. And someone knocked me and [said], ‘You need to go, just grab your personal stuff. You need to go. You need to go fast, fast,'” Gonzalez said.
Due to his pending case, he didn’t say what led to his release.
WPBF 25 News reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, asking them for a statement, and it said: “On December 10, ICE arrested Jose Heriberto Gonzalez-Gonzalez, an illegal alien from Mexico, after Florida Highway Patrol Officers stopped him for a traffic violation. All of his claims will be heard before an immigration judge, and he will receive full due process.
“We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. During the Christmas Season, the U.S. taxpayer is so generously TRIPLING the incentive to leave voluntarily for those in this country illegally- offering a $3,000 exit bonus until the end of the year. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.”
Gonzalez said the first thing he ate when he got home was Cuban food, and he said he does plan to return to work at BiCE Ristorante sometime in the future.
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