PRESS RELEASE


Photos from today’s reunion and press conference: View Photos

CHICAGO, IL – April 4, 2025 – Today, The Resurrection Project is proud to announce in a heartening turn of events, José Gregorio González, a Venezuelan man detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), was temporarily released on Friday, allowing him to reunite with his brother, José Alfredo Pacheco, who suffers from end-stage renal disease. The reunion comes after a groundswell of community support and advocacy efforts highlighted the brothers’ dire circumstances.

José Gregorio González, 43, traveled to the United States last year to provide critical support for his brother, José Alfredo Pacheco, 37, who requires life-sustaining dialysis multiple times a week. González was detained by ICE on March 3rd during a routine dialysis appointment with his brother.

The detention sparked widespread concern and weeks of community advocacy, as González is the only potential living kidney donor for his brother. Medical documentation confirmed that González is good candidate for a paired kidney exchange, potentially saving two lives.

At a press conference with supporters at the Pilsen Law Center, they were joined by Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García, community organizers, and legal representatives.

“José Gregorio is not just a brother and a friend. He is now a life-saving kidney donor,” said Tenoch Rodriguez, Community Defense Organizer for The Resurrection Project. “Thanks to the strength of our community and the pressure we applied together, José Gregorio has been granted humanitarian parole. This means he will be able to donate his kidney to his brother José Alfredo and give him the gift of life.”

Peter Meinecke, the attorney representing the González brothers, emphasized that while the victory is significant, it is also temporary: “José’s release is not permanent, but it allows him to return home where he can resume the process of donating his kidney and saving his brother’s life. This outcome shows us that when we stand in solidarity with each other, no possibilities are out of our reach, especially when it means saving a life.”

4th District Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL) expressed both relief and outrage at the situation: “I’m relieved José Gregorio González is free, but what happened in Cicero is outrageous. He came to save his brother’s life by donating a kidney—and ICE locked him up. No one should be arrested for trying to save a life. This wasn’t just an attack on José, it was an attack on our values and our families. The Trump administration’s cruel, inhumane targeting of immigrants must end. We demand accountability and humanity.”

Tovia Siegel, Immigration Justice Advocate with The Resurrection Project, who was present at the reunion, shared: “José was in complete shock upon his release. Until this morning, he had no idea whether he would be deported or reunited with his brother. I witnessed their emotional first embrace after more than a month apart—Alfredo told me he had been counting every single day of their separation. While we celebrate this victory with a one-year stay of removal, we must remember the bigger picture. José came here, like many immigrants, seeking safety and with a mission to save his brother’s life. People in these circumstances shouldn’t be detained in the first place. Our goal at The Resurrection Project is to ensure all people can live safe, full, and healthy lives with their families intact.”

González was detained on March 3 after accompanying his brother to a dialysis appointment. At the time, the brothers had just secured an appointment for additional testing for the kidney transplant. Pacheco, who has nearly 100% kidney failure, requires dialysis three times a week for four hours each session.

This case has gained significant attention, with over 1,700 people signing a petition supporting González’s release, and several elected officials including Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin advocating on the brothers’ behalf.
While González’s temporary release marks a crucial step toward the life-saving transplant, the brothers face a long road ahead with extensive medical procedures and recovery. The Resurrection Project has established a fund to support their medical expenses and basic needs during this critical time.

To donate to the brothers’ medical support fund, please visit: www.resurrectionproject.org/donate and select “Client Support”.

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About The Resurrection Project

The Resurrection Project (TRP) builds trusting relationships to educate and propel individuals, immigrants, and families to achieve their social and economic aspirations, stable homes, and equitable participation in their community. TRP is a leading provider of affordable housing, financial education, and immigration services on Chicago’s Southwest side.

During the past three decades TRP has worked to improve the lives of individuals and families by creating wealth, building assets, and engaging residents to be catalysts for change. Rooted in the Pilsen community, TRP’s impact now extends across the City of Chicago and through the State of Illinois; we are making steady progress towards leveraging and preserving more than $1 billion in community wealth in 2025.