Venezuelan Immigrant Detained by ICE Faces Deportation, Blocking Lifesaving Kidney Donation

José Gregorio González, held in Indiana, is awaiting a humanitarian parole decision as his brother battles critical kidney failure.

José Gregorio González, detained by ICE since March 3, 2025, is at risk of deportation to Venezuela, jeopardizing his ability to donate a kidney to his critically ill brother, José Alfredo Pacheco.
Doctors warn that without a kidney transplant, Pacheco faces a high risk of mortality, with a 4-5 year wait for a cadaver donor being his only alternative.
González, who has no criminal record and was under ICE supervision, had been caring for his brother and preparing for the transplant before his detention.
Community members, activists, and elected officials are advocating for González's release on humanitarian parole to proceed with the donation, emphasizing the ethical and humanitarian stakes.
A stay of removal petition for González has been denied, but his humanitarian parole application remains under review as deportation to Venezuela looms.