Cristian Humberto Jerez Andrade, a 31-year-old Honduran man, has been released after being held for a week in connection with a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in South Burlington. His bond hearing took place virtually through the Chelmsford Immigration Court in Massachusetts, where a judge approved a $10,000 bond following discussions between Jerez Andrade’s attorney and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The judge stipulated that he must apply for asylum by next Thursday to prevent deportation, with his next court appearance set for April 2.

Last week’s ICE operation at a residence on Dorset Street resulted in an extensive confrontation that drew considerable local protest. Jerez Andrade was one of three individuals detained during the incident, although he was not named on the warrant presented by ICE agents and has not faced any criminal charges.

A federal judge in Burlington had previously decided to maintain Jerez Andrade’s detention due to concerns about the potential existence of an outstanding warrant against him. However, no evidence of such a warrant was presented by the government. The judge subsequently mandated that an immigration bond hearing occur within five days. Should Jerez Andrade not have secured his release at that hearing, further federal court proceedings would have examined the legality of his detention under constitutional rights protections.

Alongside Jerez Andrade during the raid were two Ecuadorian sisters: 31-year-old Jisella Johana Patin Patin and 20-year-old Daysi Camila Patin Patin. Both were also detained but have not been charged with any crimes. Swift action from local attorneys resulted in the filing of habeas corpus petitions, asserting that the detentions were unlawful. These legal efforts led to temporary orders to prevent their transfer to other states.

Johana Patin Patin was released on bail shortly after the raid, with her attorney successfully arguing that she posed no flight risk and was not a danger to society. The mother of two, she has also initiated an asylum process. Meanwhile, a hearing for Camila Patin Patin is set for this Friday. She fled Honduras three years ago due to threats to her safety and entered the U.S. as an unaccompanied minor.

The detentions of these individuals have sparked ongoing protests and calls for their release from community members and various advocacy groups. The primary subject of the ICE warrant involved in the standoff, 24-year-old Deyvi Daniel Corona-Sanchez, remains at large.

This article will be updated with further developments.