A Utah man arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement is now at the center of a growing legal dispute, as his attorneys accuse the Department of Homeland Security DHS of publishing libelous allegations on social media. The department claimed on X that the man, Jair Celis, had a history of child sexual abuse — a characterization his legal team says is misleading, defamatory and based on sealed juvenile records.
Celis, who overstayed his visa, was taken into custody last week while preparing to attend his final green card interview with his wife. He was transferred to a detention facility in Arizona shortly after his arrest.
ICE confirmed to KSL-TV that Celis’ arrest was tied to his visa overstay, a fact his lawyers acknowledge. One of his attorneys, Andy Armstrong, said Celis moved to the United States from Mexico as a child and had recently begun the formal process to obtain permanent residency. His wife, a U.S. citizen, accompanied him to his immigration appointments.
Attorneys Say DHS Cited Sealed Juvenile Records
The controversy stems from an official DHS post asserting Celis had a history of sexual abuse and sodomy. Attorney Adam Crayk, part of Celis’ legal team, said that claim relies on sealed juvenile court documents — records that are not public and, by law, are treated differently from criminal convictions.
Juvenile cases are civil proceedings, not criminal ones, and cannot be used as evidence of guilt in the same way adult convictions can.
“This is so far beyond what any authority should be doing,” Crayk said. “You can’t use juvenile records. It’s not a conviction and it does not meet the legal threshold for one.”
KSL-TV reviewed the juvenile documents, which show that Celis was accused of sexual abuse of a child when he was a minor. According to Crayk, Celis and the girl involved were teenagers in a consensual relationship. Celis complied with all requirements set by the judge, and the case was closed.
His attorney says the issue has no bearing on Celis’ immigration case and questioned how DHS obtained sealed juvenile information.
“We have around 200 letters of support,” Crayk said. “People understand this was a juvenile matter. Kids and teenagers make mistakes all the time, and that’s why the juvenile system exists.”
Wife Denounces DHS Statement as “Disgusting”
Celis’ wife, Lexie Coletti Celis, released a strongly worded statement criticizing DHS for promoting what she described as false and politically motivated claims.
“To have it come from our own government to fit their inhumane agenda is absolutely disgusting,” she wrote. “The people who know him know who he is — and it is nothing like what he’s been accused of.”
She requested privacy while the case proceeds.
Crayk said he plans to partner with additional attorneys to file a defamation lawsuit against DHS.
Legal Path Forward: Deportation and Bond Hearing
Crayk maintains that the only unlawful act Celis committed was overstaying his visa.
“When he turned 18, he had two choices: stay with his family here, or pack up and go back alone,” Crayk said. “Nobody is going to do that.”
Celis and his wife of five years pursued a marriage-based green card — a process delayed by pandemic-related shutdowns and, more recently, issues related to Celis declining the now-lifted COVID-19 vaccine requirement.
Celis is scheduled to appear before an immigration judge Friday. His attorney plans to file a request for bond, arguing that Celis is not a danger to the community and not a flight risk.
KSL-TV contacted DHS and ICE for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.
For official guidelines on juvenile court privacy, see the U.S. Courts (official website). For information on immigration procedures, visit U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (official website).
