The Department of Homeland Security has blocked the release of Ernesto Manuel-Andres, despite a federal immigration judge ordering that he be released on bond, according to the nonprofit working with him.

On Monday, the judge had set the bond at $1,500, adding that it was the lowest bond legally allowed — “a clear acknowledgment that he poses no danger or flight risk and should return home,” Fugees Family stated in a release.

Then, DHS reserved its right to appeal the decision — meaning Manuel-Andres will remain locked up while DHS decides whether to appeal, which can take up to 30 days, said Fugees Family CEO and Founder Luma Mufleh, citing the judge.

Manuel-Andres looked dejected, with his head down, as if he couldn’t look up, Mufleh said. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained the teenager June 4 despite his being legally authorized to stay in the U.S., Manuel-Andres’ attorneys and Mufleh have said.

“(They’re) trying to break him, for him to say, ‘I can’t do this anymore,’ ” Mufleh said.

If granted bond, Manuel-Andres could have been released within one to two days, the law firm Minsky, McCormick and Hallagan, PC previously said.

“It’s so unnecessarily, heartbreakingly cruel to dangle his freedom in front of him and then take it away,” Mufleh said. “This is a test of what kind of country we are … Our laws say kids like Ernesto should be protected. What happened today was cruelty, pure and simple.”

Mufleh added that she wants to see elected federal officials and the governor release statements and act in support of Manuel-Andres.

“They should be getting answers to this ridiculousness,” she said.

During the hearing, some 25-30 sat in vigil at First Christian Church awaiting the result.

The news was devastating to them, said Cathy Severns, one among the group and a leader of SOKY Indivisible.

“SOKY Indivisible is shocked and devastated by the news that DHS continues to hold Ernesto without cause,” Severns said. “We ask that Sen. McConnell, Sen. Paul, Rep. Guthrie, and Governor Beshear do everything in their power to intervene on Ernesto’s behalf.”

Severns added that the group is asking federal legislators to use their oversight authority over federal agencies to stop detainments such as those of Manuel-Andres.

Guthrie stated last week that “In line with the House Committee on Ethics recommendations, Congressman Guthrie’s office has a long-standing policy of not interfering with individuals’ ongoing judicial proceedings.”

Bowling Green City Commissioner Dana Beasley-Brown issued a statement in support of Manuel-Andres following the Monday bond decision.

“Respect for the rule of law is a cornerstone of our country, and Ernesto has done everything asked of him. As a Bowling Green resident on American soil, he has constitutional rights,” Beasley-Brown said. “When I was sworn in as a Bowling Green City Commissioner, I took an oath to defend the Constitution.”

She pointed to her grandfather enduring horrific conditions at a prisoner-of-war camp in Germany during World War II, and her uncle sacrificing his life to save soldiers in Vietnam.

“Each of them taught me to stand up for the values that define us as Americans,” she said.

And, Beasley-Brown said, she’s sought guidance through prayer and scripture as a woman of faith.

“The Bible tells us to welcome the stranger, to love our neighbor, and to act justly,” she stated. “As Jesus said, ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me.’

“This is not a political issue, it’s a moral one. It is about whether or not we mean it when we say ‘liberty and justice for all.’ I will continue to fight for Ernesto like he’s my own. Because if this can happen to him, it can happen to any of our kids.”

Background

ICE’s charge alleges that Manuel-Andres unlawfully entered the U.S. without admission or parole — but doesn’t mention any of his legal paperwork, his law firm Minsky, McCormick and Hallagan, PC has said.

Manuel-Andres obtained legal authorization to be in the U.S. and protection from deportation after entering the U.S. as an unaccompanied minor and processed into custody at the Office of Refugee Resettlement, according to the law firm.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has granted him the legal classification Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) – for youth who’ve survived abandonment, abuse or neglect, Beata Leja, principal attorney at the law firm, has said.

In Manuel-Andres’ case, the Department of Homeland Security also granted him Deferred Action, which provides legal protection from deportation, she has said. The SIJ classification remains valid indefinitely, while the Deferred Action protection remains valid until February 2029, Leja has said.

ICE hasn’t responded to previous requests for comment.