M.A.R.R. v. Jeffrey Crawford, et al.

The ACLU of Virginia filed a Writ of Habeas Corpus on behalf of a Virginia father and business owner after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unlawfully detained him and denied him bond in direct violation of his due process rights.

"Alex" arrived in the United States more than a decade ago and has only interacted with law enforcement in the context of minor traffic violations. He applied for asylum in 2023, which is still pending, was granted work authorization, and has since started his own heating and cooling company. He and his partner welcomed a baby girl two years ago.

On July 22, 2025, Alex accompanied a friend to Prince William General District Court. Department of Homeland Security agents stopped the men, questioned Alex about his immigration status, asked him to display his work authorization card, and then arrested him anyway.

Alex was unlawfully detained for over nine months, during which time he was unable to receive the insulin he must administer at least twice a day. He now suffers from vision loss, light-headedness, and thirst, indicating that he is at risk for long-term organ damage or worse due to his diabetes that he disclosed when he was first detained, but that ICE failed to treat.

On May 13, 2026, ACLU of Virginia secured Alex's release from detention. In ordering Alex’s release, the court held that he was not subject to mandatory detention, and that the government had the burden of showing changed circumstances to justify denying him bond. The court subsequently found that the bond hearing held in the immigration court violated Alex’s due process rights by denying bond even though the government produced no reliable evidence to demonstrate changed circumstances.