Former ICE detainee José Gregorio González donates kidney to brother in life-saving transplant surgery in Chicago area
Share this @internewscast.com

A Venezuelan man who was briefly freed from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention in the Chicago area has managed to donate his kidney to his brother, aiming to save his life.

ICE temporarily released José Gregorio González a Broadview facility in April.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

His lawyer, Peter Meinecke, shared that González received a year-long supervised release to tend to his gravely ill sibling and potentially offer his kidney.

González faced detention by ICE earlier this year while he was with his brother, José Alfredo Pacheco, who was attending a dialysis session. Pacheco, residing in Cicero, was suffering from end-stage kidney failure and required a transplant.

The Resurrection Project, which represents González, announced that on Friday, González successfully donated his kidney to Pacheco during surgery at a hospital in the Chicago area.

“Today we celebrate not just a successful surgery, but the triumph of love and community over fear and cruelty,” expressed Erendira Rendón, Vice President of Immigrant Justice at The Resurrection Project, in a news release. “The fact that this feels like such an incredible victory speaks to how cruel our immigration system has become. Across the country, families are being torn apart as parents, caregivers, coaches, and partners are detained indiscriminately and jailed indefinitely in overcrowded facilities that put their mental and physical health at risk.”

The Resurrection Project says González does not have a criminal background.

González could still be deported in a year.

According to an April statement from ICE, “Jose Gregorio Gonzalez, 43, is a citizen of Venezuela ordered to be deported by an immigration judge… Gonzalez was arrested and placed in ICE custody on March 3 without incident. After providing the necessary documentation, ICE granted Gonzalez temporary release on humanitarian grounds.”

ABC News contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Mamdani wants NYC to spend $70M on 'feasibility study' for city-run grocery store pet project: sources

Mamdani Proposes $70 Million Feasibility Study for City-Operated Grocery Store Initiative in NYC: Sources

Mayor Zohran Mamdani is proposing a $70 million investment for a “feasibility…
Jacksonville rapper Ksoo pleads guilty to 2019 murder, given 10 years in prison on top of life sentence

Jacksonville Rapper Ksoo’s 2019 Murder Guilty Plea: 10-Year Sentence Adds to Life Imprisonment

In a significant development, Jacksonville rapper Ksoo, legally known as Hakeem Robinson,…
'Mentally deranged' Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib should 'be institutionalized' for SOTU antics: Trump

Trump Criticizes Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, Suggesting Institutionalization Over State of the Union Conduct

During his State of the Union address on Tuesday evening, President Trump…
Hunter College professor Allyson Friedman placed on leave for racist hot mic comments

Hunter College Professor Allyson Friedman Placed on Leave Following Controversial Hot Mic Remarks

A professor from Hunter College has been placed on leave following significant…
Montoya Perry, charged with carjacking, killing Uber Eats driver Daniel Figueroa with own car on West Side, has criminal history

Montoya Perry Faces Charges in Fatal Carjacking of Uber Eats Driver Daniel Figueroa on West Side: A Look Into His Criminal Record

A tragic incident unfolded in the suburbs of Chicago as a woman…
Nancy Guthrie suspect's digital ‘blackout’ may be key to case, says expert who probed Kohberger phone

Digital ‘Blackout’ of Nancy Guthrie Suspect Could Be Crucial to Investigation, Expert Says

TUCSON, Ariz. — The mysterious disappearance of Nancy Guthrie might be unraveled…
Human remains found in submerged car believed to belong to Florida mother who vanished 22 years ago

Submerged Car Yields Human Remains of Florida Mom Missing for 22 Years

In a poignant breakthrough over two decades in the making, divers have…
Cuba says it killed 4 people aboard Florida-registered speedboat that opened fire on soldiers

Cuban Authorities Report Fatal Incident Involving Florida-Registered Speedboat and Military Personnel

HAVANA (AP) — On Wednesday, Cuba’s government reported that its military forces…
NYC social services spending has ballooned 50% since COVID: state budget chief

NYC Social Services Budget Surges by 50% Since Pandemic: Insights from State Budget Chief

New York City’s social services budget has surged by over 50% since…
4 people on Florida boat killed by Cuban forces after entering its waters: officials

Cuban Forces Reportedly Kill Four Aboard Florida Vessel in Territorial Waters Incident

Cuban authorities have reported the fatal shooting of four individuals aboard an…
'Beefcake' CA legislator racked up $350K on campaign credit card

California Legislator’s $350K Campaign Credit Card Spending Sparks Controversy

Los Angeles state legislator Isaac Bryan has made headlines with a substantial…
Dominican Republic singer Amarilis Brito Rodríguez arrested after singing national anthem

Dominican Singer Amarilis Brito Rodríguez Detained After Controversial National Anthem Performance

In an unusual turn of events in the Dominican Republic, authorities have…