MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis high school soccer player who had been in the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was released from a detention center early Friday afternoon.

FOX13 cameras were rolling when 18-year-old Yasser Lopez Soza — a student at Memphis Business Academy — walked out of an ICE detention center in Mason, Tenn. He had been been in ICE custody since February.

FOX13 had previously reported the teen was detained during a traffic stop on his way to a soccer game.

RELATED: Memphis student held in ICE custody ‘suffering insomnia,’ lost ‘a lot of weight,’ state rep says

According to court documents, Judge Sherly Lipman said “the Department of Homeland Security is required by law to give Lopez Soza bond.” The judge also pointed out that the 18-year-old does not have a criminal history and has been in the U.S. for several years.

Lipman’s ruling required Soza’s “immediate” release and for DHS to provide proof of his release by Monday.

The family of Yasser Lopez released the following statement: 

“We are grateful for this great nation that provides a legal system that allows for a person to challenge their detention and that challenge be heard and adjudicated in a fair and efficient manner. This nation provides rights to any person who finds themselves within its borders regardless of where they were born or their current immigration status. What happened today is proof that the system works!

We are grateful for the first amendment and the right to express ourselves freely. As members of the Latino community, we are hardworking, willing to sacrifice, God fearing, and full of perseverance. We follow the laws of this land and cherish the freedoms we find here.

We are grateful for the judge’s decision and know that she made the correct ruling.

We are disappointed that this detention occurred in the first place in violation of the civil rights of Yasser.

We will continue to pursue all legal forms of relief permitted under the law to acquire legal status and Yasser is looking forward to going back to high school and playing soccer for his team, Memphis Business Academy.

God Bless America and have a great evening”