An asylum-seeker from Africa volunteered across Buffalo. Now he's in ICE custody

Now, he sits in the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia.

Kabeya, an asylum-seeker from the Democratic Republic of Congo, was taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody on the West Side on Halloween, several days before he was about to start a job with UPS.

“He’s a Buffalonian,” said his friend Sherry Schlenker. “We want him back home.”

Federal authorities arrested Kabeya as he rode his bicycle on Parkdale Avenue sometime after 4 p.m. Oct. 31, Schlenker said. He remains in ICE custody in Batavia.

A request for information about why Kabeya was arrested was sent to ICE media relations Friday morning. No information was provided by the deadline for this story.

Siana J. McLean, Kabeya’s attorney, could not be reached for comment.

Schlenker met Kabeya through the Buffalo Dream Center, a church they both attend. Kabeya is friends with Schlenker’s son and helped him with his street ministry.

Kabeya came to the United States to attend college in Washington State, Schlenker said. His father, who was living in the DRC, was paying for his education.

He entered the country legally on a student visa, Schlenker said. But he lost contact with his parents, who are presumed dead after episodes of violent conflict arose in his home country, Schlenker said.

No longer being able to pay for school and unable to go home, he came to Buffalo to live with his uncle and his uncle’s family, all of whom are permanent legal residents, she said.

He has applied for asylum and had been unable to work until receiving his work authorization a few weeks before his arrest.

He was supposed to have orientation for his new job at UPS on Nov. 4, Schlenker said.

Prior to his arrest, the extent of Kabeya’s volunteer efforts with numerous organizations across Buffalo was unknown to those who knew him. But it became clear soon thereafter – a GoFundMe campaign Schlenker set up to help pay for legal representation for Kabeya reached its $25,000 goal within 48 hours, she said.

Whether it was at his church, an afterschool program or distributing food at Fireman’s Park with Friends Feeding Friends, Kabeya made his presence felt.

“Literally for the past year, almost every single day he’s been somewhere in Buffalo volunteering his time,” Schlenker said.

The funds raised in the GoFundMe campaign are paying for an immigration attorney to represent him. The money also is available in case an immigration judge grants bond at an upcoming hearing.

Kabeya is hoping he can get back the bicycle he was riding when he was arrested. He was taken into custody on Parkdale, between West Delavan and Lafayette avenues.

Buffalo Dream Center is offering a $50 reward for its return, Schlenker said.

The bicycle, a 21-speed black Diamondback that was his sole means of transportation, had sentimental value to him. He fixed it up with the help of GObike Buffalo, one of the organizations Kabeya has volunteered with, said Kevin Heffernan, the group’s deputy director.

Kabeya has been volunteering there for nearly a year, helping with bike rodeos for kids and with mobile repair events, Heffernan said.

He became a regular at the organization’s volunteer nights on Thursdays, making him part of the “extended family” of the organization, he said.

Schlenker said she was impressed by what Kabeya was doing in Buffalo, despite facing difficult circumstances after losing contact with his parents.

He could have sat at home and waited for a decision on his asylum application, she said, but instead he did the opposite – he went out and helped others in his new community.

He wants to work and contribute meaningfully here. He deserves a chance to make a safe, comfortable life in Buffalo, Schlenker said.

“Gary belongs here,” she said.

She said Kabeya also told her once he is released he plans to help others who are being held at the detention center in Batavia.