Ricardo Hernández-Navarrete spent more than two months detained in different immigration centers without knowing if he would see his family again or fulfill his dream of playing college football. This week, however, the 18-year-old Colombian returned to Chicago after being unexpectedly released by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The story, reported by CBS News, took a turn just days before his high school graduation. Hernández-Navarrete was able to attend the ceremony accompanied by his mother and his teammates, who for weeks promoted campaigns to demand his release.

“I'm excited,” the teen said after receiving his diploma. "I'm doing things well. Maybe that's why I have the opportunity to be here."

Detained after an immigration appointment

Ricardo was arrested in March along with his mother, Martha Liliana Navarrete, when they both attended a routine immigration appointment in Chicago. Because he had already turned 18, the young man was separated from her and transferred to different detention centers in Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Ohio and Kentucky.

During his detention, he assured that the most difficult thing was not being able to play soccer or communicate regularly with his family.

"I couldn't play football. That's the most important thing in my life," he declared.

His mother was also recently released following a court order, although both continue to face immigration proceedings that could lead to deportation.

Dream of playing college football

Despite the legal uncertainty, Hernández-Navarrete tries to focus on the future. The young man has already committed to playing football at Truman College in Chicago, while he continues to report regularly to ICE.

As part of the supervision conditions, the authorities placed an electronic tracking device on him and required him to report every two weeks, in addition to sending daily photographs to monitor his movements.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that the family entered the country irregularly in 2022, but assured that the young man will receive “all procedural guarantees.”

His high school coach, Enrique Cervantes, stated that Ricardo does not represent the criminal profile that Donald Trump's administration frequently uses to justify mass deportations.

“He is someone who studies, works and wants to build a future,” declared Cervantes.

Now, the US immigration system will decide whether Ricardo and his family will be able to remain legally in the country.