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From a 70-man cell to a school counselor’s bear hug

From a 70-man cell to a school counselor’s bear hug

Dylan Lopez Contreras returns to his Bronx school after 10 months in ICE detention.

Amy Zimmer, Chalkbeat New York

Apr 1, 2026

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2 min read

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Good morning. It’s Amy with Chalkbeat New York.

Our top story takes you inside ELLIS Prep as Dylan Lopez Contreras returned to the Bronx high school for the first time since being detained by ICE agents 10 months ago.

Dylan’s first day back was a joyous day, but reminders of his detention loomed, including the ankle bracelet he must now wear and the continued threat of immigration enforcement. Still, his school is doing everything it can to help him return to normalcy and make it to college.

Local News

Dylan’s return: NYC’s first public school student detained by ICE returns to school after 10 months

Dylan’s return: NYC’s first public school student detained by ICE returns to school after 10 months

Dylan became the public face of an aggressive new phase in Trump’s mass deportation campaign. His school never stopped trying to bring him back.

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Child Care Voucher Applications Are Closed in 35 New York Counties and NYC, New York Focus

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Thumbnail image by José A. Alvarado Jr. for Chalkbeat

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