Guilherme Silva, who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement near his home in Friday Harbor in July and later charged with sexual exploitation of a minor in Whatcom County, was released from police custody and had his felony case dismissed with prejudice on Oct. 6.

“Three months ago, after being incarcerated and treated like something less than human, I thought I’d never come home again,” Silva told the Journal. “Despite my education, my art, and my work serving communities like San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Friday Harbor, I was called a ‘threat’ to this country. Everything felt cold and hopeless — yet I kept telling myself, tomorrow will be better. Those who know my love for my daughter never doubted my innocence and the father that I am.”

Silva was traded from ICE custody t

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