Cristofer Ortega was deported despite having legal protections. What his lawyer wants you to know

Editor's note: This interview was recorded prior to Ortega's deportation. Cristofer Ortega came to the United States as a child. Now 21 and living in New Jersey, Ortega was recently deported to Honduras despite having legal protections that would have allowed him to eventually become a permanent resident. Ortega was detained by ICE in July while visiting family in New Hampshire. Attorneys say Ortega had already been approved for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status — a federal designation granted to young immigrants who have experienced abuse, abandonment or neglect. The designation typically allows recipients to apply for a green card once a visa becomes available and often protects them from deportation while they wait. But Ortega remained in detention for more than eight months with no criminal record, before he was deported. NJ Spotlight News correspondent Raven Santana spoke with Jessica Charniga, who represents Ortega through American Friends Service Committee, about Ortega's SIJ status, her client's mental health and potential next steps in the case. ICE did not respond to our request for comment. Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for daily videos: http://bit.ly/1ERsYqw This program is made possible by viewers like you. Please support NJ Spotlight News: https://www.njspotlightnews.org/member-benefits/ Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.njspotlightnews.org/newsletters/ Follow NJ Spotlight News: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/njspotlightnews/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/njspotlightnews/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/njspotlightnews.org TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@njspotlightnews?_t=8VUNKN33vpu&_r=1 ----------------- While NJ PBS does not and cannot review every submission and is not responsible for the content of your comments, NJ Spotlight News reserves the right to delete, remove, move, or edit comments that it, in its sole discretion, deems abusive, defamatory, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate or unacceptable for any reason.  ----------------- NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi is a nightly news program that airs weekdays on NJ PBS that covers local New Jersey news. Be sure to share with us your story ideas, feedback and tips about news in your neighborhood: https://bit.ly/32zwJDT NJ Spotlight News airs every weeknight at 6:30, 7:30 and 11 p.m. ET on NJ PBS.