Knoxville Group Calls for Release of Undocumented Member from ICE

(KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE, UNITED STATES) Allies of Knoxville’s Immigrant Neighbors (AKIN) is urging federal immigration authorities to release community advocate Alejandro Guizar Lozano from ICE custody after agents detained him on October 15, 2025, during a scheduled check-in in Smith County. Guizar Lozano, originally from Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico, has lived in Knoxville for more than 20 years and is widely known for helping immigrant families across East Tennessee. As of October 16, 2025, ICE had not issued an official update on his case, according to local advocacy groups.

AKIN says Guizar Lozano followed every requirement set by immigration officials, including routine check-ins while he waited for his immigration court process. During last week’s appointment, ICE agents apprehended him and transferred him to a facility in Nashville before moving him to the Putnam County jail. Supporters say he faces no criminal charges, and they argue his case reflects a broader rise in arrests of people who have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for years without serious offenses.

The group has launched an online petition and a GoFundMe campaign to cover legal fees and help his family. AKIN and the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition are calling for his immediate release, describing the detention as unnecessary and harmful. They argue that people like Guizar Lozano play a stabilizing role in local communities, often acting as translators, volunteers, and organizers who connect new arrivals with schools, clinics, and churches.

Advocates say families now fear routine ICE contacts that were once predictable and administrative. Instead of quick check-ins, more people are leaving appointments in handcuffs and facing transfers far from home. According to community leaders, the emotional and financial strain on families has grown, especially when wage earners land in detention without warning.

Detention and community response

Supporters of Alejandro Guizar Lozano describe him as a trusted neighbor who:

• Guided others through immigration court dates and paperwork
• Organized food and rental support during hard times
• Acted as a consistent community connector for two decades

AKIN’s leaders say his detention undercuts trust that officials built by scheduling regular check-ins without surprise arrests. They want clearer standards about who is a priority for removal and why routine reporting is now leading to jail transfers.

The coalition’s statement condemns detentions during check-ins for people who pose no public safety risk. Local pastors and school advocates have echoed those concerns, noting that sudden custody leads to:

• Missed work and unpaid rent
• Disrupted child care
• Emotional shock across immigrant neighborhoods

AKIN is asking supporters to contact elected officials, sign the petition, and contribute to legal costs while lawyers seek relief. The group says community pressure has helped in past cases when ICE reversed a decision and released a person on supervision. For now, volunteers are:

• Coordinating rides for family visits
• Collecting letters of support
• Preparing documents to show Alejandro’s long ties to Knoxville

“Detentions during routine check-ins damage trust and harm families who rely on community advocates.”
— Local advocates and coalition leaders

Policy context and local impact

Since the start of the second Trump administration in 2025, advocates in East Tennessee report a sharp rise in detentions during routine ICE check-ins, even for people without criminal charges. They say this marks a shift from earlier years when many individuals with pending court cases were allowed to continue living and working under supervision. Detentions during check-ins now appear more common for people with open asylum cases as well, according to community reports.

Local policies also shape outcomes:

• Knox County participates in 287(g), a federal program that allows trained local officers to hold people for ICE.
• The majority of ICE holds in the county involve nonviolent misdemeanors, often driving without a license—an offense that disproportionately affects undocumented residents who cannot get licenses in Tennessee.

For official background on the program’s scope, see the ICE 287(g) program.

Advocates say the county’s bed contract with ICE has fueled a surge in detention numbers in early 2025, with many people jailed for immigration reasons rather than new criminal charges. They add that transfers to out-of-county facilities make it harder for families to visit and for attorneys to prepare cases. Court delays and distance compound the pressure on households that already live on tight budgets.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, 2025 has seen historic highs in ICE detention nationwide under the expanded enforcement agenda backed by President Trump. Local groups argue that these trends are now reaching deeper into communities that have long-standing roots, pulling in parents, caregivers, and heads of household who previously checked in without incident.

The case of Alejandro Guizar Lozano has become a rallying point for Knoxville-area advocates who want rules that clearly prioritize threats to public safety over long-term residents with strong community ties. They argue that taking people into ICE custody after years of compliance discourages cooperation with schools, health providers, and law enforcement. Parents tell community leaders they now fear every appointment, unsure if they will return home.

What families and supporters should know

Legal service providers say that when someone is detained during a check-in, quick action can matter. Families often need to gather proof of:

• Long residence (letters, affidavits)
• School records for children
• Employer letters confirming work history
• Medical documentation for urgent conditions

These records can support release requests and may help judges assess hardship and community ties.

AKIN is sharing practical tips with supporters who want to help. Suggested actions include:

• Volunteers writing brief letters describing a person’s character and contributions, signed with full name and contact information
• Employers preparing simple statements confirming work history and good standing
• Faith groups collecting messages from members who know the family and can speak to their community role

Immigrant families in East Tennessee also ask for clear information about what to expect at check-ins. Community groups recommend:

• Bringing identification and copies of past notices
• Having a plan for child care and work coverage if an appointment takes longer than expected
• Sharing attorney details with trusted friends so they can call quickly if needed

How to support Alejandro and similar cases

For those asking how to help, AKIN recommends three steps:

1. Sign the petition calling for release from ICE custody
2. Share verified updates with neighbors, schools, and churches
3. Donate to help with legal fees and family needs

AKIN and the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition continue to press ICE for transparency and a prompt release. They say a fair, consistent process—one that does not punish people for showing up—would help rebuild trust in Knoxville and reduce fear among families with pending cases.

This situation remains fluid. Advocates expect updates in the coming days as lawyers file requests and supporters increase public outreach. For now, Knoxville’s immigrant community waits for word on a neighbor many consider a steady helper in hard times, and AKIN keeps calling for his return to his family.