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Latino war veteran files $1M claim for immigration arrest

Jilmar Ramos-Gomez is a Michigan-born U.S. citizen. Yet he was taken into custody after his release a year ago from a Kent County jail for an alleged crime.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Lawyers for a Latino American war veteran who was wrongfully detained by immigration agents in Michigan have filed a $1 million claim against the U.S. government for his three days in custody.

Jilmar Ramos-Gomez is a Michigan-born U.S. citizen. Yet he was taken into custody after his release a year ago from a Kent County, Michigan, jail for an alleged crime. The American Civil Liberties Union says Ramos-Gomez’ “shocking mistreatment” only exacerbated his post-traumatic stress disorder from his service as a Marine in Afghanistan.

"What happened to Jilmar is terrible but also a completely predictable consequence of ICE's reckless approach to immigration," says Miriam Aukerman with the ACLU.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement declined to comment Wednesday.

The city of Grand Rapids recently agreed to pay $190,000 to Ramos-Gomez. A Grand Rapids police officer played a key role in notifying ICE about the man.

Separately, the ACLU filed a lawsuit Wednesday seeking documents about Ramos-Gomez’ detention.

"We've been requesting all of the records that underly this case and we have received absolutely no cooperation from ICE," says Aukerman.

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