Knoxville Illegal Alien Files Lawsuit Demanding Release, Claims ICE Detainment Is Retaliatory

Image Credit: AKIN -Allies of Knoxville’s Immigrant Neighbors / Facebook

The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –

An illegal alien who was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Oct. 15 has filed a writ of habeas corpus to challenge his detainment and demands the government prove it has legal grounds to hold him.

Mexican-born Alejandro Guizar Lozano, 32, was arrested by ICE officers after a random drug test was requested by a probation officer during a check-in. According to Lozano’s petition, he hasn’t been officially charged since his detention, and his attorneys argue the arrest was retaliatory because of his work as an immigrant advocate.

Lozano is a member of Allies of Knoxville’s Immigrant Neighbors (AKIN), an organization which amongst other platforms, seeks to “promote more just and reasonable policies toward immigration and asylum; and to foster a welcome atmosphere in which all people are treated with dignity and respect and recognized for their positive contributions to the community.”

The group has been advocating for Lozano’s release since he was detained, describing him as an activist and “outspoken proponent for immigrant rights” in Tennessee and neighboring states. Lozano has lived in Knoxville for over 20 years, coming to the United States when he was about 12 years old.

AKIN has called Lozano’s detainment an “abduction” and accused law enforcement of depriving Lozano of his rights to due process.

“ICE has a well-established pattern of retaliating against outspoken critics, and Alejandro’s detention is the latest example of this broader crackdown against dissent,” said Meghan Conley, chair of AKIN. “As we see in Alejandro’s case, local law enforcement is being conscripted into this federal apparatus of political repression. We call this an abduction because ICE has produced no legitimate legal basis for his detention. We should all be concerned when the government targets dissidents and detains them without charges. Alejandro’s lawsuit is defending the constitutional rights that we all depend on.”

According to ICE records, Lozano is currently being held at a detention facility in Louisiana. ICE spokesperson Angelina Vicknair issued a statement confirming Lozano had prior convictions for possession of methamphetamine in February of 2025 and driving under the influence in 2022.

He was reportedly sentenced to a year probation for the meth possession and a court-ordered sentence of 11 months and 29 days for the DUI.

Now, his attorneys have filed the writ of habeas corpus demanding his release, arguing that he does not have a deportation order or documentation justifying an expedited removal and does not yet have a notice to appear in court. He was charged with overstaying his visa in 2011, but removal proceedings were closed in 2013. They have been reopened after his recent arrest.

ICE has said Lozano is being held pending proceedings and “recalendaring” of a notice to appear. 

A letter signed by over 80 national, state, and local organizations representing “faith communities, labor, and immigrant rights” has also been sent to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE, and the warden of the Louisiana detention center asking for Lozano’s release.

The GoFundMe for Lozano’s legal fees has raised over $62,000 as of Monday. 

About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.