ICE to grant temporary release to man attempting to help brother in Cicero who needs kidney transplant

BERWYN, Ill. (WLS) — ICE is expected to temporarily release Friday a man in the country to save his brother’s life.

Two brothers are about to have a heartfelt reunion as one of them has received special temporary permission from ICE to donate his kidney to his ailing sibling.

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José Gregorio González was detained by ICE last month while accompanying his brother José Alfredo Pacheco to a dialysis appointment.

Pacheco has end stage kidney failure and needs a transplant.

Gonzalez sought asylum from Venezuela and came to the U.S. at the end of 2023, when he learned of his brother’s diagnosis.

The man, who has been granted the authorization, had been taking care of his brother in Cicero while wearing an ankle monitor due to an order of supervision, which was in place until last month.

González, represented by the Resurrection Project, is reported to have no criminal record. He is scheduled to be released on Friday under certain conditions to look after his brother.

“This is literally a matter of one, of brotherly love, of someone trying to save his brother’s life, and so I think it’s fair that he be given the opportunity to do that,” said Peter Meinecke, senior staff attorney at The Resurrection Project.

It still hasn’t been determined whether González is an organ donor match or not, but supporters say, even if he isn’t, he can still donate to another patient and secure a transplant for his brother through a paired kidney exchange.