An 18-year-old high school senior, Benjamin Marcelo Guerrero-Cruz, was taken into custody by federal immigration officials while walking his dog in Van Nuys. Guerrero-Cruz, who recently turned 18, was preparing to start his senior year at Reseda Charter High School. Instead, he is now in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security, pending removal from the United States.
According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, Guerrero-Cruz, originally from Chile, overstayed his visa by more than two years, violating the Visa Waiver Program. He was required to leave the United States by March 15, 2023. The department did not respond to further inquiries from the Los Angeles Times.
When Guerrero-Cruz was detained, immigration agents reportedly tied his dog to a tree and released it, allowing the animal to run loose. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support his family and cover legal fees. His mother described harsh conditions in custody, stating that her son is in a cramped holding area with insufficient food and water.
Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho expressed concern over the impact of such immigration enforcement actions on students. “When children witness peers, parents, or other individuals detained, the image is not easily erased,” Carvalho said, emphasizing the need for limits on enforcement near schools.
KTLA reported that Guerrero-Cruz’s arrest is part of ongoing immigration enforcement efforts in Los Angeles, which have heightened fears among students and parents. The Department of Homeland Security has offered incentives for voluntary departure, stating that those who do not comply will face arrest and deportation without a chance to return.
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