Ernesto Manuel-Andres returns to Bowling Green, community holds celebration to welcome him home

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – After weeks in Monroe, Louisiana, where he was held by ICE, Ernesto Manuel-Andres, the Teranga Academy graduate, has returned to Bowling Green, with the community welcoming him home at the place where he graduated.

Many community members were on hand, including Teranga Academy principal Kristi Costellow, who shared this about Ernesto’s return:

“Any time you work in a school, every student who comes through your doors is yours, and I think… even though the last three weeks have been difficult weeks, something that’s been so full of hope is to see how the community of Bowling Green looked at Ernesto, a resident of our community, and said he’s ours. I’m thankful to be in Bowling Green, Kentucky where we live in a community where people will see something that’s wrong and they will keep at it until it’s made right… so thank you.”

Fugees Family, a nonprofit that has been with Ernesto the entire time, was also on hand, as director Luma Mufleh made the nine hour journey to Bowling Green with Ernesto… City Commissioner Dana Beasley-Brown, who also works in the Bowling Green Independent School District, shares why she got emotional seeing Ernesto reunite with his family.

“Him as a young 18 year old man… young man. My son is, he’ll turn 18 in November, and I just cannot imagine if my son had been in his situation, and I was so glad to see him in the arms of his family, which is where he belongs,” Beasley-Brown said.

Beasley-Brown also praises the community coming together to rally around Ernesto, just like they did when tragedy struck in December 2021.

“The tornado showed us that no matter where we come from… you’re here in Bowling Green, we are working side by side to take care of each other,” she said.

While Ernesto didn’t say much to those who attended, he did have this message for his supporters:

“I want to say thank you for you being here this afternoon, and thank you for praying for me to get out of Louisiana and that you support me. I’m happy to be at my house again.”