Federal judge temporarily blocks deportation of pizza worker

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the deportation of a New York pizza shop worker in danger of being sent back to Ecuador.

Attorneys for the Legal Aid Society obtained the temporary stay for Pablo Villavicencio (via-veeh-SEN’-sioh) after a hearing in Manhattan federal court Saturday.

Villavicencio was arrested on June 1 when he tried to make a delivery to the Fort Hamilton garrison in Brooklyn. A routine background check revealed there was a warrant for his arrest for immigration law violations.

Federal Judge Alison Nathan granted the stay until July 20. Villavicencio will remain in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody until his case goes to court.

Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo asked federal homeland security officials to look into the case, saying recent detentions raise significant legal questions.