Third Upstate hospital worker detained by ICE identified, held in Batavia detention center

Syracuse, N.Y. — An Upstate University Hospital worker who was detained by ICE on Tuesday is being held at a federal detention center, according to the worker’s union.

The man detained has now been identified by his union as Mohammed Fofana, of Syracuse.

Fofana, who is 22 or 23 years old, is being held at a federal immigration detention center in Batavia, Ali Cottrell, the president of CSEA Local 615, said Thursday. Fofana’s originally from Guinea, a coastal nation in West Africa wracked by ethnic conflicts, corruption, abuses by the military and police and poverty.

He came to the United States seeking asylum, Cottrell said.

Fofana’s family, who live in the Syracuse area, said Fofana was able to contact them to let them know where he was being held and that he’s doing “okay,” Cottrell said.

Fofana was taken into custody Tuesday while walking in Syracuse’s Hawley-Green neighborhood, where he lives, Cottrell said.

The union is providing support and resources to his family while advocating on his behalf, he said.

Fofana had completed two weeks of training in Upstate’s Environmental Services Department as a cleaner and was scheduled to officially start his job this week, according to Cottrell.

Cottrell said the union is still confirming additional details about Fofana, such as how long he has lived in the United States and his status here.

The union is also in contact with local and federal lawmakers.

In late October, two other Upstate hospital employees were detained by ICE after attending immigration hearings, raising concerns among hospital staff and the union.

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office said it was aware of Fofana’s case but did not answer questions about what the governor is doing about Fofana’s detention.