Beto O’Rourke calls for release of Dallas-born U.S. citizen from immigration custody

White House hopeful Beto O’Rourke on Tuesday called for the release of a Dallas-born American citizen from immigration custody.

“Francisco Erwin Galicia is an American, a citizen, an 18-year-old who has been detained for 3 weeks because of the color of his skin. CBP must release him immediately & this country must demand accountability for what has happened to him,” the former Texas congressman tweeted, referring to Customs and Border Protection.

“We’ll prove that we’re better than this.”

Francisco Erwin Galicia is an American, a citizen, an 18-year-old who has been detained for 3 weeks because of the color of his skin. CBP must release him immediately & this country must demand accountability for what has happened to him. We’ll prove that we’re better than this. https://t.co/js2usJZylw

— Beto O’Rourke (@BetoORourke) July 23, 2019

The Dallas Morning News reported earlier Tuesday that Galicia is being held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after being detained June 27.

{mosads}The outlet reviewed a copy of Galicia’s birth certificate provided by his mother, Sanjuana Galicia, and confirmed it lists Galicia as having been born at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas on Dec. 24, 2000.

Galicia’s attorney, Claudia Galan, told the Dallas Morning News that she has tried to present immigration officers with the document but has been unsuccessful in securing his release.

Galicia has been released from ICE custody, ICE and CBP told The Hill in a joint statement Wednesday.

The agencies said they are still researching “the facts of the situation,” citing “conflicting reports from the individual and multiple birth certificates.”

“Both CBP and ICE are committed to the fair treatment of migrants in our custody and continue to take appropriate steps to verify all facts of this situation.”

O’Rourke, who represented the border town of El Paso, Texas, in Congress, has attempted to make strong credentials on immigration a key part of his presidential pitch.

Despite a strong start to his campaign, the former Senate candidate has slipped down in polls and fundraising rankings in recent months.