Every month, between 7,000 and 8,000 people in the Bronx count on the Open Hand Association Food Pantry on Lydig Avenue for groceries. Right now, that food has stopped. The pantry’s founder and president, Aleksander Nilaj, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on October 13 after he arrived for a scheduled court hearing.

For 14 years, Nilaj has kept the pantry going for families who might otherwise go without. “He made sure that people in need had food on their tables for their families,” said Saimir Burgaj, chairman of the pantry, speaking to News 12. Staff say they can’t keep up with the work without him, and they’ve warned the pantry will shut down for good if he doesn’t come back.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says Nilaj came to the U.S. legally from Albania in 2006, stayed past his permitted time, and was ordered removed by an immigration judge in 2008. Even so, he did what the system asks of people: he showed up to court. Arresting someone at a hearing he chose to attend tells others that showing up is a risk, and here, thousands of neighbors are paying the price.

ICE has the power to use discretion. The ICE New York City Field Office can release Nilaj while his case is reviewed, and New York’s members of Congress can press for a stay of removal, a pause on deportation, so he can return to the people who rely on him.

Whatever people believe about immigration, few want to see a pantry that feeds thousands go dark over a case that can be paused.

Sign the petition to urge ICE to release Aleksander Nilaj and get food flowing again on Lydig Avenue before winter sets in.