Reporting by Stacie Joy
Top photo from Dec. 24
As we first reported, Evelyn, an asylum-seeking Peruvian-born woman who has a 10-year-old child here, was arrested outside her workplace at Ho Foods on Christmas Eve morning.
After receiving a summertime removal order from a judge, Evelyn had been wearing an ankle monitor and arriving at monthly check-ins at Federal Plaza while she appealed her case. It is unclear what led to her arrest at work that day on Seventh Street between Avenue A and First Avenue.
While at work in the Ho Foods prep kitchen, Evelyn was notified via the USCIS app that her ankle monitor needed adjustment and that she needed to step outside her place of employment to meet agents.
When she stepped out the door, she was immediately arrested and taken by masked ICE agents, as shown in this video clip filmed by Jeannine Kiely.
Within hours of her arrest, Evelyn was transferred from Federal Plaza to Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) El Paso Camp East Montana, in El Paso, Texas.
Friends scrambled to file a habeas corpus petition (a legal filing that challenges potentially unlawful detention and confinement) on her behalf, and it was filed three minutes before the plane wheels touched down in Texas, giving New York (US District Court, Southern District) jurisdiction over the case. Her family found out she'd been transferred to Southern Texas her via the online ICE tracking portal.
This was the first known DHS ICE arrest in our neighborhood, and interest in what happened to Evelyn and participation in her fundraiser has been high.
We spoke with Evelyn's friend, former coworker, and activist Zibby Trewartha-Weiner for an update.
What happened to Evelyn's case after she was arrested?
The initial meeting (an Order To Show Cause) was held via Zoom on Jan. 2, 2026, before Judge Vernon Broderick in the Southern District of New York. He expressed frustration with the incorrect information the ICE lawyers had. Counsel stated that she was picked up at an immigration check-in, which was incorrect, and the judge was upset by this misinformation. Especially since it was a holiday.
We hear that Evelyn must be returned to New York. Do you know where and when she will be returned?
All I know is the "NYC area" — reportedly, via the counsel for ICE/DHS, there is limited bedspace for women in the area. They need a court order, which I believe is what is in process.
Does she have official paperwork in for transfer and jurisdiction?
There is notice that she must be transferred for any hearing and cannot be deported. We have a timeline for her hearing and case: amended petition on Jan. 9; respondent to file an answer to the amended petition on Jan. 20; petitioner to file any reply on Jan. 26. She has a G-28 document (a notice of entry of appearance as an attorney or accredited representative).
Which judge is sitting/presiding on the case?
Edgardo Ramos.
We were told that when ICE took her, they didn't let her get her glasses, and that she has vision challenges without them. Has she received her glasses?
The request for glasses to be sent was received on Jan. 2. We are waiting to confirm that the glasses will be received by her before sending.
Is there still an ongoing need for fundraising?
We don't know the financial constraints yet of the detainment. We have heard that people often have to pay for detainment fees, etc. We are hoping that the money we have raised will support those costs.
That being said, she worked a 40-hour week and rarely took time off, so there is a significant amount of her income being halted.
Has anyone spoken with her?
Yes, family, lawyer, and friends.
How is she?
Hard question to answer — stressed, but understanding and patient. I mean, how could you be?
What would you like to see from the East Village community?
Keep an eye on it! Don't let the news fall below the surface. We need pressure to get her moved, etc.
Has she received assistance from any elected officials? Have any organizations/people been especially helpful?
Assistance in the form of contacts, yes; however, the lawyer that we are working with came through a coworker. That being said, Make the Road has also offered legal assistance.
For now, we are continuing to work with lawyer Margot Hoppin, because she now has so much information regarding the case. She has been by far the most helpful! We have also received support from UnLocal. The bulk of the financial support has come from Ho Foods staff, former staff, and immediate friends and family.
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We have reached out to ICE officials for comment, but have received only "out of the office until after January 5" replies. We will continue to monitor this developing story.
Previously on EV Grieve:
