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Miami Herald
01-07-2025
- Miami Herald
A Cuban dad did time for a marijuana bust 40 years ago. He died in ICE custody Thursday.
Isidro Pérez spent his life by the sea: first, during his childhood in Cuba, and at the end, on a house-boat off the coast of Key Largo with his dogs. He arrived in the U.S. in 1966 at the age of 16 and worked as a mechanic and fisherman. In the early 1980s, he was convicted of marijuana possession, but his family said he turned his life around. His daughter and six stepchildren offered to buy him an apartment in his later years, but he declined. 'He was like a bird that didn't want to be caged up,' his stepdaughter, Alba Patricia Gomez, told reporters. On June 5, five immigration officers arrested Pérez, 75, at a community center. A photo taken by a family friend of the moment shows Pérez with a long, white beard. His hands are behind his back. Officers took him to Krome North Service Processing Center in Miami. Three weeks later, on Thursday, Isidro Perez died in U.S. Immigration and Customs custody. A government statement shows he had been in the hospital the day before for a heart condition. 'I don't understand what's really going on, we're all human,' Gomez said. 'Why are they picking up 75-year-old people?' Pérez is the fifth person to die in ICE custody in Florida this year, according to government records. Half of all deaths since January in the agency's custody nationwide have been in Florida. His official cause of death is still under investigation. 'People die in ICE custody, people die in county jails, people die in state prisons,' Tom Homan, the U.S. border czar, said when asked about Perez's death on Monday, noting that he was unaware of the case. 'The question should be, how many lives does ICE save? Because when they go into detention, we find many with diseases and stuff that we deal with right away to prevent that.' Pérez's death comes only days after Johnny Noviello, a 49-year-old Canadian man, was found unresponsive at the federal detention center in downtown Miami. He died on June 23. READ MORE: Canadian man awaiting deportation dies at detention facility in downtown Miami Medical examiners ruled two other deaths in January and February to be from natural causes, but a Miami Herald investigation found evidence of substandard or delayed medical care. Reporters requested autopsies and medical reports for the three recent deaths but have yet to receive them. 'ICE remains committed to ensuring that all those in its custody reside in safe, secure, and humane environments,' the press release on Perez's death said. 'At no time during detention is a detained illegal alien denied emergent care.' READ MORE: Two men in ICE custody died of 'natural' causes. Were their deaths preventable? The government statement notes that Perez had two convictions in the 1980s for substance possession: on Feb. 10, 1981, and Jan. 25, 1984. The Herald contacted the National Archives and local courts and could only locate the records for one. In 1981, Pérez and another man were stopped on a boat and charged with 'conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute,' and 'possession with intent to distribute' about 1,500 lbs of marijuana, records show. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison with two years probation, and was granted extra time in order to support his family before turning himself in, documents show. He started his sentence on Jan. 25, 1984, more than 40 years ago. Gomez, 51, said that Pérez studied to become a mechanic during his time in prison. He fixed up both cars and boats, and would undercharge his clients so they could afford his services. After he got out of prison, he began to rescue cats and dogs. 'We're all humans you know, we make mistakes, but we remake ourselves,' she said. 'And that's exactly what he did.' Maria Alaniz, 82, met Pérez when she arrived in the U.S. from Nicaragua in 1979, and they started dating shortly after. She described him as an 'excellent person' with whom she shared a 'beautiful friendship.' When they separated after seven years together, he continued to help raise her six children, teaching them to swim and fish. He had a weak heart, multiple heart attacks, a shoulder fracture, injuries after a car hit him and could barely walk in his last months, she said. She brought him meals daily and took him to medical appointments. Alaniz recalled getting a call from him when he was at Krome, where he described sleeping on the floor in a severely overcrowded facility that didn't have enough beds. 'I am no one to judge, but it really hurts me, what is happening,' Alaniz said. The ICE press release states that Pérez was detained 'during a law enforcement action in Key Largo' and deemed ineligible to stay in the United States. Criminal convictions can make immigrants inadmissible to remain in the country. His family members said he was arrested while sitting at the Murray Nelson Government Center, a community center in Key Largo. A family friend who was present sent relatives a photo of his arrest. Pérez had three chihuahuas, two of them in Alaniz's care. But Chulo – whose previous owner Alaniz said had also been detained by ICE – was taken by officers to a humane society. They left him tied outside, but he escaped and was hit by a car, Pérez's family said. A woman saved the dog, and continues to take care of him. Chulo 'suffered a lot with the arrest,' said Alaniz. The day after his arrest, during a standard medical intake, Pérez was diagnosed with several health issues, ICE said. On June 17, he was admitted to Larkin Community Hospital with 'unstable angina' – reduced blood flow to the heart that causes chest pain and can lead to a heart attack. On June 25, he was discharged from the hospital. The next evening, he reported chest pains at Krome's medical unit. He died around 9 p.m. at Florida Kendall Hospital. Pérez and Alaniz spoke one last time the morning before he died, and he said he would call the next day. She dreamed of him: He was lying on a stretcher, calling for 'rescue, rescue, rescue.'
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Newberg vineyard workers arrested in targeted ICE raids: Salinas
PORTLAND, Ore. () — Two vineyard workers were targeted in arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs officers in Newberg on Thursday, the office of U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas confirmed to KOIN 6 News. In a statement, Salinas confirmed the arrests of the vineyard workers. 'There were two targeted ICE arrests of vineyard workers in Newberg. As a part of my Congressional duty, I am meeting with ICE to ensure they maintain the right to due process for all detained individuals. I have also spoken at length with Latino leaders in the community to ensure individuals know their rights and how I can support them,' Salinas, a Democrat representing Oregon's 6th Congressional District, said. Portland police respond to protests outside ICE facility Authorities have not released the names of those arrested, nor have they immediately released further details about the arrests. However, KOIN 6 News spoke with family members of a person who they said is one of the people who was arrested. The family told KOIN 6 that Moises Sotelo was detained by ICE after his daughter, Alondra Sotelo Garcia, tracked his phone to the ICE detention center in Portland after he'd gone missing. Moises is a fixture in Oregon wine country, his daughter said. He had spent two decades working there, earning awards along the way, before launching his own business earlier this year. The business was aimed at helping wineries manage their grape crops. 'He's a good man, taxpayer, hard working man, proud of what he does, granpa, dad, uncle,' Alondra said. On Thursday morning, Moises vanished, Alondra said. His truck was left misparked on the street he drives every day in Newberg. She knew instantly, ICE had taken him, before her fears were confirmed by tracking his phone. 'Whispers here and there of possible spotting but when it happens to you, it's a whole different feeling, ordeal, you enter into panic,' Alondra said. After seeing that his phone location was listed as being in Portland, she rushed to the ICE facility there to see him. 'I just saw my dad chained at his feet, you know, with a big old smile, still trying to keep his head up for me, more than anybody in that moment,' Alondra said. Outside the Portland facility, where protesters have been gathered for days, a sign now hangs, reading, 'Free Moises.' Alondra declined to discuss her father's immigration status. But the process is often long, complicated and costly. Still tracking her dad's phone, Alondra heard a ping, mid-interview, notifying her that he was being moved. She traced his path as he moved north on I-5, toward Tacoma, Washington. 'This is news to me,' she said. Alondra said the entire ordeal represents a call to stay ready and aware. 'Just for being brown, even if you're a citizen, you're still at risk,' she said. The arrests come amid growing protests across the nation, , over federal immigration enforcement raids around the country. KOIN 6 News has reached out to ICE for more information. We will update this story if they respond. The Yamhill County Sheriff's Office shared the following statement with KOIN 6 News after our request for comment: 'I cannot confirm anything definitively, as I have not seen anything myself, and I have not had any direct communication from any federal entities. I have had several reports of ICE enforcement action in Yamhill County today and have received two inquiries in prior days from media outlets asking me to confirm if I have any information. I have received some information today third hand which I would deem to be credible information, which suggests that there has been some level of enforcement activity at least today in Yamhill County.' –Yamhill County Sheriff Sam Elliot The Newberg-Dundee School District shared the following letter with KOIN 6 News that they shared with community members: Dear Newberg Dundee Community,We were made aware of ICE activity in our community over the night and throughout today. Our leadership team worked closely with school principals to ensure a safe and secure last day of school. At this time, we have not had any disruptions to our schools or offices, and we ended our last day of school safely. As a reminder of how Newberg Dundee schools will respond in these cases, we want to reiterate our January 27 communication:Here is what you need to know:Student Records and Privacy Protections:Our actions are guided by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA strictly prohibits the release of student records or personally identifiable information without prior parental consent, except in very limited circumstances (such as cases involving child abuse). This applies to all requests, whether from federal, state, or local for Access to Students:If any official, including federal authorities, arrives at a school requesting information or access to a student, they will be referred to the district office. This ensures a consistent and legally compliant response to every Requirements for Information Disclosure:The only circumstances under which we would release student information are: When presented with a valid judicial subpoena or court order. When disclosure falls under the board-approved Directory Information policy (JOA), what may be shared is highly limited. Administrative Training and Compliance:We have met with all school administrators to review and reinforce these policies. Every principal understands their responsibility to safeguard student information and ensure compliance with federal and state laws. Our commitment is clear: Every student in our district has the right to a safe and supportive learning environment free from fear or unnecessary ParkerSuperintendentNewberg Dundee School District Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Green-Card Holder Who Came to US as Young Child Detained Returning to US
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. Immigration officers detained a green-card holder who came to the United States as a child upon his return to the country after a vacation, his family said. Newsweek reached out to his family and Department of Homeland Security for comment via Facebook message and email. Why It Matters Maximo Londonio, who is from Washington state, is the latest green-card holder to be detained amid President Donald Trump's crackdown on immigration. The detention of green-card holders—especially those with long-standing legal status in the United States—has raised alarms among immigrant communities and legal advocates, who warn that lawful residents with non-violent criminal records may be vulnerable to detention when returning to the U.S. after international travel as enforcement policies become more rigorous. A U.S. Immigration and Customs enforcement agent monitors asylum seekers in New York City on June 6, 2023. A U.S. Immigration and Customs enforcement agent monitors asylum seekers in New York City on June 6, 2023. DavidWhat To Know Londonio, a 42-year-old Olympia resident who was born in the Philippines and came to the U.S. when he was 12, was detained at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on May 15. The detainment came as he was returning home from a family trip to the Philippines, according to the Seattle Times. His family said he has not been convicted of any violent crimes. He was convicted on a felony charge of grand theft in 2002 and served a seven-month sentence in county jail in California, according to the report. Since then, his family has made several trips to the Philippines and has never faced more than 20 minutes of questioning by officers when returning to the U.S., according to the report. A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spokesperson told Newsweek that anyone entering the U.S. is "subject to inspection" and that officers "routinely determine admissibility of foreign nationals using long-standing U.S. immigration law." "Lawful permanent residency for foreign citizens in the United States is a privilege," the spokesperson said. "Under federal immigration law, lawful permanent residents convicted of offenses considered to be crimes involving moral turpitude, including aggravated felonies, can legally lose their status and be removed. Crimes involving moral turpitude include crimes such as grand theft and use and/or distribution of controlled substances." Londonio told his family on Monday that he was being transferred to the Northwest Detention Center, but the date of his next hearing remained unclear, the Seattle Times reported. This is at least the second case of a green-card holder being detained at the airport in Seattle. Lewelyn Dixon, a University of Washington lab technician and Filipino green-card holder, was stopped at the airport in February and remains in ICE custody. Dixon had a non-violent embezzlement conviction but did not serve any time, instead spending 30 days in a halfway house and paying a $6,400 fine. The Trump administration has warned that green-card holders must behave like a guest while in the country or risk removal. The Justice Department has argued in court that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has the authority to reconsider and potentially revoke green-card holders' lawful permanent residency at any time. What People Are Saying Crystal Londonio, Maximo's wife, during a press conference this week, per NBC News: "Four days is too long. The lack of accountability by the United States Customs and Border Protection is failing him right now. ... I'm a U.S. citizen, you failed me." International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) President Brian Bryant, in a statement: "Like so many across our country, our IAM Union Brother Maximo is simply trying to be the best husband and father he can be and provide for his family. To our knowledge, there has been no evidence to support the U.S. government's continued detention of Maximo. We call for his immediate release." What Happens Next Londonio was reportedly scheduled for transfer to the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma and awaits a hearing to determine his status and the next steps of his case. Advocacy organizations and his family members continue to press for his immediate release.
L'Orient-Le Jour
07-05-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
The Ultra-Zionist group Betar is resurfacing in the US
One of the most vocal allies of the Trump administration in efforts to erase the word 'genocide' from U.S. university campuses is making a comeback. Betar, the historic movement of Israel's revisionist far right, had remained largely out of the headlines for decades. But amid the Gaza war, the group is reemerging, ramping up provocative actions aimed at intimidating pro-Palestinian protesters and silencing voices calling for an end to U.S. military aid to organization, which identifies as both Jewish and Zionist, frequently shares videos on social media showing its members burning Palestinian flags or provoking confrontations with demonstrators — at times escalating into physical March 8, after Mahmoud Khalil, an activist and Columbia University graduate, was arrested at his home by U.S. Immigration and Customs...
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
As Alireza Doroudi faces deportation, his soon-to-be-wife clings to their life together, with or without the ‘American Dream'
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) — On Saturday, Sama Ebrahimi Bajgani will celebrate her birthday in Jena, Louisiana. It's not what she and her fiancé, Alireza Doroudi, had wanted. In fact, it wasn't that long ago the couple were in the middle of planning their wedding, which would've likely happened sometime in the next month or two, followed by a second wedding with their families in Iran. But that all changed with a knock on their door outside their apartment in Tuscaloosa in the early morning hours of March 25, when U.S. Immigration and Customs agents detained Doroudi, taking him into custody and sending him over 300 miles away to the little Louisiana town where the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center is located. It's where the 32-year-old doctorate student who had been studying mechanical engineering at the University of Alabama has stayed for nearly a month with few answers as to why. At the time of his arrest, Doroudi had been living in the United States on a revoked visa, which was inexplicably done just months after arriving in the country at the beginning of 2023. However, he had been assured that his student visa was valid–something his attorney, David Rozas, confirmed– and that he would be fine as long as he remained a student at UA. Before being detained by ICE, Doroudi was in the process of applying for permanent residency and was set to graduate next year. Now, all the plans that Doroudi and Bajgani had for their life together are in question. 'I feel like I've shattered,' Bajgani said during a Zoom call as she was getting ready to leave with a friend for Louisiana Friday morning. 'I've broken into pieces.' The last month has been hard on the couple, made even harder by an immigration judge's recent decision not to grant bond to Doroudi, considering him a flight risk. In their argument for his deportation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security claimed he posed 'significant national security concerns,' despite failing to elaborate on what those concerns were. Bajgani and Doroudi cried together as they spoke on the phone after his hearing, where they continued to talk about the life they still want to build together. The only difference this time is whether it would involve 'the American dream' or something else entirely. The couple first met in 2022 at the U.S. Embassy in Oman, where they were both applying for student visas to the United States. She said that while Doroudi waited seven months to be approved for a visa, she had to wait nearly a year. Before long, they two were in America, he a doctoral student at UA and she studying educational psychology at Mississippi State University. Seeing as they were only an hour and a half away from each other, they decided to meet. 'He came with friends to Starkville, where I was studying at Mississippi State and we started dating right after,' she said. 'I think I was the one who initiated everything.' Describing their quiet life in Tuscaloosa, Bajgani didn't speak about their respective workloads as students at the University of Alabama, but of cooking Persian food together in their apartment, hiking in north Alabama, white water rafting with her in West Virginia, and slowly building a life together. Maybe that would include a pet, maybe that would include children, but it would be done together. 'His aspiration is to be a good person, a virtuous person,' she said. 'He's the kindest and most generous person I have ever met.' In their phone calls to one another, Bajgani spoke about how despite his dilemma, Doroudi is staying focused on his future, asking her to send him his school books, as well as his English and vocabulary books. This weekend, she hopes she can give him more by being there with him. 'I just want to go there and say 'I love you Alireza. Everything is going to be fine' and give him some encouraging words,' she said. 'I wish I could hold his hand but they don't let me hold his hand because it's over that glass door, but that's just how it is.' Going through the emotion turmoil of Doroudi's detainment, Bajgani said she feels like she is in a prison herself, unable to focus on her work and constantly worried for his safety. At times, it has made both of them despondent about what could be in store for them. 'We were thinking that if the court or the people who are deciding for Alireza don't consider true information and what he really is, preferring to come up with something to portray him as a threat, what is the worth of fighting in this court,' she said. 'What is the worth of paying lots of money and fighting in this court and staying apart from one another.' If Doroudi is ultimately deported and sent back to Iran, Bajgani is not afraid of going back. For her, she's afraid of what could happen if they continued to stay. It was made all the more clear after his bond was denied, despite no evidence that he is dangerous or would flee the country. 'When we saw that, we kind of lost our hope for America, for both of us,' she said. Even if they let us stay, we would've completed our degrees and we would've left in the earliest time. This is not a place to live. This is not a place to live the happy life and dream. This is not the freedom and American dream that they always talk about. It's just something that is just for a group of people, not for everyone.' Bajgani hopes she and Doroudi can find that home where they can both thrive, if not in the US. 'I wish we could have that happy dream somewhere in this universe,' she said. 'I believe there is somewhere for both of us that they will understand how good we are, how good and pure of people we are. We are kind and are considerate of other people and we are nothing like a threat to the community.' With many questions that remain unanswered, Bajgani hopes that those who hold Doroudi's fate in the balance do the right thing. 'I want to say that you can always choose the right, even though you have chosen the wrong,' she said. 'Please choose the right.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
