Latest news with #BenjaminMarceloGuerreroCruz
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
'He is 18 years old but a kid': LA high school senior was walking his dog when ICE took him into custody - Who is Benjamin Marcelo Guerrero Cruz?
A Los Angeles high school senior was taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents last week, allegedly leaving his dog loose on the street during the arrest. The student, identified as 18-year-old Benjamin Marcelo Guerrero Cruz, was detained in Van Nuys on Friday, August 8, according to Newsweek citing GoFundMe campaign created on his behalf. Guerrero-Cruz helps take care of his 5-month-old twin brothers and his 6-year-old brother, the GoFundMe post said. He's described in the post as a "devoted son, a caring brother, a loyal friend, and a valued member of our community," ABC news reported. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) confirmed the incident and its spokesperson said, "Los Angeles Unified stands united in protecting every student and family during this period of heightened immigration enforcement." — cwebbonline (@cwebbonline) "Working closely with city leaders and municipal partners, we have strengthened safety measures at and around our schools. This includes enhanced communication with various entities, visible presence in impacted communities, and rapid-response protocols should enforcement activity occur." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like SRM Online MBA | India's top ranked institute SRM Online Learn More Undo The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told KTLA that Cruz had overstayed his visa by more than two years, with his visa waiver programme expiring in March 2023. Cruz is currently held in ICE detention in LA. As of Friday morning, over Rs 24,000 had been raised to cover his legal fees and basic needs for his mother and siblings, who also live in fear of federal agents. Friends have expressed support for Cruz, with his soccer teammates describing him as reliable, respectful, and kind. The arrest coincided with the temporary detention of a 15-year-old student with disabilities elsewhere in LA on Monday morning. In response, LAUSD is deploying staff and school police to patrol streets around 100 schools to protect students from ICE and other agents. At a news conference on Thursday, LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho stated, "He is 18 years old, but he's a kid. He has not been exposed to anything in his life. He drinks water once a day. The food is insufficient. Mom said that there was not enough room for everybody to sit or lie down at the same time." Ronny C, a soccer teammate of Cruz, said on the GoFundMe page, "We're devastated to lose such a good kid and great teammate. On the field, he was rock-solid—always showed up, worked hard, and could be counted on week after week. Off the field, he was just as reliable: kind, respectful, and someone who lifted up the people around him. He brought consistency, heart, and a quiet strength that made the team better in every way. It's heartbreaking to see him taken from us like this, and we'll truly miss not just the player, but the person he was." The standoff between LA officials, including Mayor Karen Bass, and the Trump administration continues, with the President stating that ICE has full authority to arrest and detain individuals in sanctuary cities suspected of being illegally present in the U.S.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Newsweek
Family Says ICE Nabbed High School Senior on Walk, Left Family Dog in Road
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Los Angeles high school senior was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents last week, with agents reportedly leaving his dog to run around in the street alone. Benjamin Marcelo Guerrero Cruz, 18, was arrested on Friday, August 8, in Van Nuys, per a GoFundMe set up to help him. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) told Newsweek that due to privacy concerns, they could not discuss the case directly. "Los Angeles Unified stands united in protecting every student and family during this period of heightened immigration enforcement," the spokesperson said. "Working closely with city leaders and municipal partners, we have strengthened safety measures at and around our schools. This includes enhanced communication with various entities, visible presence in impacted communities, and rapid-response protocols should enforcement activity occur." Newsweek reached out to ICE for comment via email Friday morning. Why It Matters LA has been a focus for immigration enforcement in recent months, with local leaders raising repeated concerns around ICE overreach. In recent days, the LAUSD has issued new guidelines to protect students as much as possible from federal law enforcement as they returned to class. Benjamin Marcelo Guerrero Cruz, 18, was arrested by ICE on Friday, August 8, in Van Nuys, Los Angeles. Benjamin Marcelo Guerrero Cruz, 18, was arrested by ICE on Friday, August 8, in Van Nuys, Los Angeles. GoFundMe What To Know ICE agents detained Guerrero-Cruz, a Chilean national who turned 18 last month, just before he was set to start his senior year at Reseda Charter High School. They approached him on Sepulveda Boulevard in the early hours last Friday morning, as he walked the family dog. According to the GoFundMe set up on his behalf, agents tied the pet to a tree but then unclipped his collar, allowing him to run free in the street as his owner was taken away. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told KTLA that Guerrero-Cruz had overstayed his visa by more than two years. He was due to leave in March 2023, when the visa waiver program he entered on lapsed, the department said. Guerrero-Cruz was being held in ICE detention in LA. Over $24,000 had been raised as of Friday morning to pay for his legal fees, as well as basic needs for his mother and siblings also living in fear of federal agents. The young man's friends have spoken out in support of him, with his soccer teammates describing a reliable, respectful, and kind person. The arrest came just before federal agents also temporarily held a 15-year-old student with disabilities elsewhere in LA on Monday morning, while the LAUSD said it was deploying staff and school police to patrol streets around 100 schools to protect students from ICE and other agents. What People Are Saying Los Angeles Unified School District Supt. Alberto Carvalho, speaking at a news conference Thursday: "He is 18 years old, but he's a kid. He has not been exposed to anything in his life. He drinks water once a day. The food is insufficient. Mom said that there was not enough room for everybody to sit or lie down at the same time." Ronny C, a soccer teammate of Guerrero-Cruz, in a statement on the GoFundMe page: "We're devastated to lose such a good kid and great teammate. On the field, he was rock-solid—always showed up, worked hard, and could be counted on week after week. "Off the field, he was just as reliable: kind, respectful, and someone who lifted up the people around him. He brought consistency, heart, and a quiet strength that made the team better in every way. It's heartbreaking to see him taken from us like this, and we'll truly miss not just the player, but the person he was." What's Next The stand-off between LA officials, including Mayor Karen Bass, and the Trump administration is continuing, with the president saying ICE has full authority to arrest and detain those in sanctuary cities it suspects of being illegally present in the U.S.
