Chester County newlywed detained by ICE after routine check-in
A Chester County newlywed has spent more than a month in ICE custody after being detained during what his attorney described as a routine immigration check-in.
Nelson Contreras-Gelves, a 35-year-old Venezuelan asylum seeker, was detained one week after celebrating his wedding with friends and family in late June. His defense team says he had been following the immigration process and had no criminal record.
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His wife, Ariel Whaley, is now fighting to bring him home.
"Oh, he's like the most generous, kind, positive person. He's always trying to make everybody happy in the room," Whaley said.
The couple met in 2023 while volunteering at a nonprofit in Kennett Square. Contreras-Gelves had a work permit and was employed at Mighty Writers, according to his attorney.
Whaley said being separated from her husband has been difficult.
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"Nelson is the one that I go t…