Fugees Family releases statement regarding release of Ernesto Manuel-Andres
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Fugees Family has released the following statement regarding the release of a Teranga Academy graduate in Bowling Green.
“Following his release from ICE detention on bond, 18-year-old Ernesto Manuel-Andres is now home in Bowling Green, Kentucky.”
“Ernesto and his family are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support they received from the Bowling Green community and from people across the country.
“He is relieved to be home, but this has been an incredibly difficult and traumatic experience. Ernesto is just 18 and is understandably very overwhelmed at this time. While we celebrate that he is free, it is important to remember that the case is not over. Ernesto remains out on bond, and legal proceedings will continue.
“We ask the media and the public to please respect Ernesto’s privacy as he begins to recover and prepare for the next steps in his legal case. Ernesto will not be giving interviews while his case is pending. All press inquiries should be directed to Luma Mufleh, founder of Fugees Family, at luma@fugeesfamily.org, or to his legal team.”
RELATED: Teranga Academy graduate, detained since June 4, released on bond
Quotes from Ernesto Manuel-Andres provided by the statement
On his release:
“I feel very happy.”
On seeing his principal, Kristi Costellow, and Fugees Family founder Luma Mufleh:
“I was happy to see people I knew.”
On learning of the community and national support he received:
“I felt very surprised.”
On what he would like to say to the community:
“I’d like to say ‘Thank you for all of it, for prayers, for support, for everything.”
