Latest news with #ResedaCharterHighSchool
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Who is Benjamin Marcelo Guerrero-Cruz? All about the LA teen detained by ICE while walking dog
On a peaceful morning in Los Angeles, an 18-year-old was simply walking his family's dog when he was suddenly arrested by immigration agents wearing masks. What was meant to be a calm, carefree moment quickly turned into a stressful and upsetting event, as he was detained by ICE for overstaying his visa. This incident has raised concerns among his family, friends, and the local community. What happened? Benjamin Marcelo Guerrero-Cruz is an 18-year-old high school senior at Reseda Charter High School in Los Angeles. He was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on August 8 while walking his family's dog along Sepulveda Boulevard in Van Nuys. According to authorities, he overstayed the terms of his Visa Waiver Program by more than two years. Who is Benjamin Marcelo Guerrero-Cruz? Benjamin is an 18-year-old student at Reseda Charter High School in Los Angeles. He is originally from Chile. On August 8, while walking his family's dog in Van Nuys, his life was abruptly changed when masked agents from ICE detained him. His dog was reportedly tied to a tree and left to roam freely on Sepulveda Boulevard. He had just turned 18 and was preparing to start school, but now he is in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security, facing possible deportation for allegedly overstaying his visa by more than two years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Benjamin has been taken into custody, which has disrupted his plans for senior year. A statement from the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Guerrero-Cruz overstayed his visa by more than two years, violating the Visa Waiver Program, which required him to leave the country by March 15, 2023. Aftermath of the arrest Benjamin is more than just a teenager; he is a vital part of his family. He helps take care of his 5-month-old twin brothers and his 6-year-old sibling. His family set up a GoFundMe page to help with legal and living expenses, describing him as a 'devoted son, caring brother, loyal friend, and valued member of our community.' That's not all. His soccer teammates and friends have spoken highly of him, praising his quiet strength and sportsmanship. One teammate described him as 'rock-solid – always showed up, worked hard, and could be counted on week after week,' while another noted his humility, calm under pressure, and ability to uplift those around him. Benjamin's detention has sparked concern about how immigrants are treated and about immigration policies. The GoFundMe page also recounts a disturbing moment: as agents arrested him, they tied his dog to a tree, unclipped its collar, and released it to roam freely on Sepulveda Boulevard. Benjamin's mother shared troubling details with LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, describing the detention environment as overcrowded, with up to 40 men in a small space, no room to sit or lie down, insufficient food, and limited access to water. 'He drinks water once a day,' said Carvalho, as reported by the Los Angeles Times, recounting the mother's words. 'She was crying with every word that came out of her mouth. ' Benjamin's family started a GoFundMe campaign to cover legal and living costs. As of now, the campaign has raised over $47,000, showing the community's support during this difficult time. A family associate shared that the agents joked about having a weekend of drinks "thanks to him" as they detained the teen. What's next? Benjamin's detention marks a sudden and traumatic start to his senior year, and it's a major setback in his young life. This arrest has also raised fears among immigrant families in Los Angeles, especially with ongoing immigration enforcement near schools. Earlier this year, immigration agents tried to enter an elementary school and mistakenly handcuffed a 15-year-old with disabilities near his school. Benjamin's arrest adds to these existing concerns, especially as enforcement near schools continues. Carvalho emphasized the lasting impact these actions have on students: 'These moments imprint on young minds, distracting them from academic lessons and replacing intellectual curiosity with worry.' Vigil held for victims of Texas shooting
Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
An L.A. high school senior was walking his dog. Then ICE agents grabbed him
Benjamin Marcelo Guerrero-Cruz was walking his family's dog in Van Nuys on a recent morning when he was taken into custody by federal immigration officials, according to authorities and published reports. Guerrero-Cruz, who turned 18 this month, was set to start his senior year at Reseda Charter High School on Thursday, according to a GoFundMe page set up to support his family and legal fees. Instead, he's being held in Department of Homeland Security custody pending removal from the United States, the agency confirmed in a statement to KTLA-TV. 'Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz, an illegal alien from Chile, overstayed his visa by more than two years, abusing the Visa Waiver Program under which he entered the United States, which required him to depart the United States on March 15, 2023,' the statement read. The department did not immediately respond to an email from The Times for further comment. When he was taken into custody Friday morning, immigration agents tied his dog to a tree and then unclipped his collar, allowing the animal to run loose on Sepulveda Boulevard, according to the GoFundMe page. 'He is more than just a student — he is a devoted son, a caring brother, a loyal friend, and a valued member of our community. He carries a tremendous amount of responsibility at home, helping care for his five-month-old twin brothers and his six-year-old brother. He is a good student, with a kind heart, who has always stepped up for his family,' according to the GoFundMe page. Los Angeles Unified School District Supt. Alberto Carvalho said during a news conference Thursday that he spoke to the boy's mother, who described the dismal conditions her son is facing in custody. She said her son was in a small holding area filled with 40 men, most much older than her son. 'He is 18 years old, but he's a kid. He has not been exposed to anything in his life,' Carvalho said, recounting his discussion with Guerrero-Cruz's mother. '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.' During their conversation, Carvalho said, she 'was having difficulty holding back tears. She was crying with every word that came out of her mouth.' A friend of Guerrero-Cruz's, identified as Ronny C., said in a statement that the young man's soccer team was devastated by his sudden disappearance. '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,' Ronny C. said. Guerrero-Cruz's arrest comes amid already heightened fears among Los Angeles students and parents over whether they might be targeted by immigration officials while traveling to or from school. A person with knowledge of Guerrero-Cruz's situation who declined to be named for fear of reprisal confirmed that he attended the high school in Reseda for his junior year. The person added that teachers are working to 'make sure all students feel safe' despite the ongoing raids. Agents have already focused enforcement efforts at LAUSD schools at least twice since the Trump administration launched raids targeting undocumented immigrants this year. In April, immigration agents attempted to enter two elementary schools seeking information about several students but were turned away by administrators. On Monday, federal agents reportedly drew their guns on and handcuffed a 15-year-old boy with disabilities outside Arleta High School. Federal officials said they were looking to apprehend a suspected MS-13 gang member and instead took the person's cousin by mistake. The teen was ultimately released. Carvalho has called for limits on immigration enforcement near schools, saying it impedes student learning. 'When children witness peers, parents, or other individuals detained, the image is not easily erased,' Carvalho said in a statement Monday. 'These moments imprint on young minds, distracting them from academic lessons and replacing intellectual curiosity with worry.' Staff writers Melissa Gomez and Malia Mendez contributed to this report
