Pasadena man in ICE lawsuit released from Adelanto after week in custody

A Pasadena man who is a plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit alleging federal immigration raids are unconstitutional was released Thursday night from Adelanto Detention Center after roughly one week in custody, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.

The release intensifies scrutiny of Adelanto Detention Center — where five people have died in or shortly after custody since the start of President Trump's second term — and raises questions about whether immigration enforcement is being used to retaliate against lawsuit participants.

Isaac Villegas Molina was first arrested in June 2025 and released on bond after a judge determined he posed no danger to the community and presented no flight risk. He was re-arrested about one week before Thursday's release, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

Molina is among the plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit that alleges ICE enforcement operations violate constitutional protections. Supporters contend his second arrest was linked directly to his participation in that litigation.

Rep. Judy Chu, whose California district includes Pasadena, met with Molina after his release and sharply criticized Adelanto's conditions. "Isaac is feeling sick right now. It's because he came from Adelanto. This is a place with a horrific record," Chu said. She added that "since the start of Trump's second term, five people have died, either in Adelanto's custody, or shortly after being transferred from it."

The Department of Homeland Security disputed the portrayal of Molina as a victim, describing him as a "criminal illegal alien" and asserting he overstayed an expired tourist visa by 13 years, ABC7 Los Angeles reported. DHS did not publicly address the allegations of retaliatory detention.

Molina's case is expected to continue as part of the broader class-action challenge to ICE enforcement operations. No hearing date has been announced.