ICE releases Lynn teen after state prosecutors drop minor charge

Federal immigration officials have released a Lynn teenager after taking her into custody last week.

Zeneyda Barrera, 18, was arrested at her home after she allegedly pushed her 12-year-old brother in an argument over a cellphone. Prosecutors agreed to put Barrera in a diversion program that gives first-time offenders counseling and offers alternatives to prosecution.

But before she could enter the program, Barrera was taken into custody by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement at the Lynn court house. She was held at a detention center in Maine.

Barrera's attorney, Patrick Callahan, said she and her family were in the country legally with a pending asylum case. Callahan was among several legal experts who were surprised ICE detained Barrera on a minor charge, especially after a judge has signed off on the diversion program.

He said earlier that typically, "ICE does not get involved unless and until a conviction has happened, or some sort of finding of guilt."

Callahan said Barrera was released from ICE custody on Friday, after state prosecutors said they would not pursue domestic assault charges against her.

Barrera can still enter the diversion program, the Essex County district attorney's office said in a press release on Friday.

Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson said in the DA's release that he is worried the case might influence immigrants in need of help from police not to reach out.

“What is concerning about cases such as this one," Nicholson said, "is the potential chilling effect it could have on the good policing that the Lynn Police Department does on a regular basis if people are afraid of the implications of contacting law enforcement."