Señor Machetes restaurant in downtown Madison was filled with people Friday in support of owner Noel Quintana, who is being held in an Indiana jail after being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The Madison community and beyond has raised over $37,000 for one GoFundMe to help the Mexican eatery, and a second GoFundMe is at over $29,000.
Quintana was traveling with his wife Ofelia Garcia Anchondo on Jan. 27 at O’Hare International Airport when he was detained by ICE agents.
Quintana is in the U.S. via a Permanent Resident Card, or green card, which allows a person to live and work permanently in the United States.
The Wisconsin State Journal reported that Quintana had a video hearing before an immigration law judge on Feb. 9. His lawyer requested a three-week deferral in hopes of receiving a pardon from Gov. Tony Evers for Quintana’s 2006 conviction for felony cocaine possession with intent to deliver, according to the outlet.
