A Bronx food pantry that has helped thousands of New Yorkers is no longer distributing food after its Albanian-American founder, Aleksander Nilaj, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The case has prompted community protests, political intervention and growing concern for families who depend on the organization.
Nilaj, founder and president of the Albanian American Open Hand Association, was detained on October 13 while attending an immigration court hearing in Manhattan.
His organization, based on Lydig Avenue in the Bronx, has served approximately 7,000 to 8,000 people each month, according to local media reports.
Volunteers told News 12 that they could not maintain food distribution without Nilaj and warned that the pantry could close indefinitely if he was not released.
Community Rallies Behind Longtime Humanitarian
Nilaj established the Open Hand Association in 2012, initially providing food packages, school supplies and other assistance to families in need.
The organization later expanded its services, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when demand for food assistance increased.
Its work has supported elderly residents, low-income families and people facing food insecurity, regardless of their background.
Following Nilaj’s detention, community members organized demonstrations and collected signatures calling for his release.
U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres visited Nilaj at the Delaney Hall detention facility in New Jersey and publicly advocated for him.
Bronx Community Board 11 also prepared a letter supporting his release, citing his longstanding community service and family ties.
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security presented a different account of his immigration status.
According to DHS, Nilaj entered the United States legally on a temporary basis in October 2006 but remained after his authorized stay expired.
The department said an immigration judge ordered his removal in July 2008 and defended the enforcement action as consistent with immigration law.
From Detention, Nilaj Sends Message to Families Waiting for Food
In a letter dated October 27 and published by the Albanian-American newspaper Dielli on November 1, Nilaj described his separation from his family and thanked supporters who had organized petitions and demonstrations.
He wrote that he had been transferred from Delaney Hall to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on October 20.
That account of his transfer comes from Nilaj’s letter and has not been independently confirmed in the reports reviewed.
Nilaj also described the organization’s humanitarian work beyond New York, including assistance delivered to communities in the Balkans.
His most immediate concern, however, was the people who had relied on the Bronx food pantry.
In the letter, he apologized to elderly residents, families with young children and people with disabilities who were waiting for the organization’s doors to reopen.
He expressed hope that Open Hand Association would eventually resume its mission.
The detention has left the organization facing an uncertain future, while supporters continue to advocate for Nilaj’s release.
As of November 2, no independently verified update confirming his release or the resumption of food distribution was found.
