12-03-2025
Humanitarian chef José Andrés asks Trump to free Michigan immigrant arrested by ICE
A Downriver father arrested by immigration agents last week is getting support from several advocates, including a prominent chef known for his humanitarian work who is asking President Donald Trump to release him.
Jose Guadalupe Jaimes, 55, of Trenton, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on March 5 after he had dropped off his 8th grade child at Arthur Middle School. Born in Mexico, the immigrant father of five has lived in the U.S. for 30 years and doesn't have a criminal record, according to his children and Wayne County records; ICE says he is an illegal alien who was ordered by a judge in 2014 to be removed.
José Andrés, a chef who received the presidential medal of freedom from Joe Biden in January for his work feeding millions of people in need after disasters, wrote in a recent post on X that tagged and addressed Trump: "Sir please release this man….Mr. Jose Jaimes is a hard working immigrant."
In his post on Sunday, Andrés also asked Trump to help pass immigration reform, writing: "please can you pass asap Immigration reform? Could be your biggest contribution to USA…..remember the immigration issue is not a problem for you to solve but an opportunity for you to seize."
'Immigrants make America great': Rally in southwest Detroit seeks end to deportations
Trump has vowed to carry out a record number of deportations, linking the influx of immigrants from the southern border to crime.
Since his arrest, Jaimes has received support from some state lawmakers including State Sen. Darrin Camilleri, D-Trenton, who said he was appalled and concerned that he was targeted while outside a school. State Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, who often speaks out on immigration issues, also expressed concern, writing in a Facebook post: "Why was he targeted?? Schools should be places for learning, NOT immigration enforcement. This one instance will impact not just one man, but his family, customers, and community."
A GoFundMe account set up by his family to help pay for some of his legal defense has received more than $12,000 as of Tuesday afternoon. A spokesperson for GoFundMe, Angelique McNaughton, confirmed on Tuesday the account is legitimate.
A rally was held Sunday at Memorial Park in Lincoln Park in support of Jaimes and others who face possible deportation. A daughter of Jaimes, Ana Jaimes, said at the rally she wants to bring awareness for all immigrants who have been arrested, a livestream of the rally showed. She said her father, who is currently in St. Clair County Jail, is aware of the support he's getting.
"He's watching everyone," she said.
USA Today contributed to this report.
Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Chef Jose Andres asks Donald Trump to release ICE detainee Jose Jaimes
