St. Paul man detained during Bro-Tex raid to be released on bond

Friends and family of Leonel Villagrana Flores stifled gasps of joy Tuesday when Immigration Judge Audrey Carr agreed to release the St. Paul man on $3,000 bond.

Just outside the courtroom in the federal Whipple Building at Ft. Snelling, Flores’ daughter, Alejandra Villagrana, hugged his attorney, Robyn Meyer-Thompson, and sobbed, “Thank you so much.”

Flores was one of 14 people detained Nov. 18 when immigration agents and federal authorities raided his workplace, Bro-Tex, a paper manufacturer in St. Paul near the Hamline-Midway neighborhood. He’s been held in the Sherburne County jail since his arrest.

In her request for Flores’ release, Meyer-Thompson told Judge Carr that he’s lived in the U.S. for 30 years and works two jobs to help support his two children, Alejandra, 24, and Jose, 21, students who are U.S. citizens.

“He’s a devoted provider, caretaker and the emotional anchor of his household,” Meyer-Thompson said.

Federal officials have released few details of why they raided Bro-Tex except to say it was part of a criminal investigation. Meyer-Thompson told Judge Carr that she believes the inquiry is related to exploitative labor practices.

After the raid, ICE said in a statement: “These operations target illegal employment networks that undermine American workers, destabilize labor markets, and threaten American communities.”

In a statement, a Bro-Tex spokesperson said Tuesday the company had “no knowledge” of any labor exploitation claims. Ellison’s spokesman said they do not confirm or comment on the existence of any pending investigations.

Both the U.S. Department of Justice and Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday.

Noncitizens need authorization, such as a Green Card or work visa, to be employed in the U.S.

Flores is among the few immigrants detained by ICE able to get a bond hearing. A new federal policy under President Donald Trump seeks to hold anyone who entered the U.S. illegally without bail, regardless of how long they’ve been here.

To get a hearing, Flores’ attorneys had to file a petition in federal court. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz granted the request Dec. 4.

He entered the U.S. in 1993 without inspection, which is a misdemeanor.

An attorney for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security asked Judge Carr to continue to hold Flores without bond, arguing his chances at obtaining a T-Visa were slim. But Carr disagreed and said she did not believe he was dangerous or a flight risk.

Flores’ family is overjoyed he will be with them for the holidays after he spent Thanksgiving in detention.