San Rafael man detained by ICE released from Elk Grove jail

ELK GROVE, Calif. (KGO) -- For the first time since being released from jail, a San Rafael father of three who was detained by ICE is speaking out. Hugo Mejia, his wife, and children hugged after his release last night from the correctional center in Elk Grove last night.

The undocumented construction worker was detained in May when he showed up at Travis Air Force Base to work a government construction job. Since then, Mejia's family and complete strangers have been fighting to get him released.

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"It's the first time I feel again to be free and waiting for see my family is what I want right now. I have to say thank you. They believe in me because they know me. My family and I are good persons," said Mejia.

Mejia still faces an uphill legal battle as he seeks asylum here in the U.S.

He's also facing a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals case to determine if ICE acted illegally in detaining him this past spring.

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