A Reseda High School student was arrested by immigration agents on August 8 and held in custody, the coach said, telling a former teacher that he heard masked men who brag about each other and they will brag about themselves and they will receive $1,500 in arrest.
Activists and educators gathered at the headquarters of the Los Angeles Unified School District on Tuesday afternoon to call for the immediate release of 18-year-old Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz, who lives with his family in Van Nuys.
Guerrero-Cruz spoke in detail Sunday with his former English development teacher Lizette Becerra, who visited him at the federal Adelanto Detention Center on Sunday.
Reseda Charter High School student Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz was taken away by immigrant agents while walking the dog.
(Rita Silva)
Bebera said at the rally that the student described to her how he heard agents boasting about the money he had earned for captives. Guerrero-Cruz told Becerra that the agent said, “It's lucky for him that for them they will be able to drink that weekend,” she said, recounting her conversation with the students.
“So my question is, who are these people?” Bebela asked. “So, yes, I'm worried these are bounty hunters.”
When asked if the claim for a $1,500 arrest for a student was accurate or if the department hired a bounty hunter, the Department of Homeland Security responded:
“It is wrong to claim that the Department of Homeland Security uses a private contractor or a 'bounty hunter' for the arrest.” The department said it is also wrong to act in any way. The spokesperson did not directly address the allegations regarding payment of $1,500 in his written response.
Teacher Lizette Becerra spoke to her former students at a rally. She talked to him at the Adelanto detention center where she was held.
(Yamada/Los Angeles Times)
A California lawsuit ended in 2022 that barred U.S. immigration and customs law enforcement officers from using private contractors to arrest immigrants from deportation in state jails and jails, or after custody is released.
The Department of Homeland Security stressed on Tuesday that Guerrero-Cruz was allegedly violating federal immigration laws.
“Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz, an illegal foreigner from Chile, abused his visa exemption program for entering the United States and required him to leave the United States on March 15, 2023,” the department's statement said.
A law firm representing the family declined to discuss the legal status of Guerrero-Cruz and his family, including the nature of their initial paperwork. The attorney has not discussed the steps (if any) of the family to stay in the United States and how many families are at risk of deportation.
Teachers, community members and students held a rally for Reseda Charter High School’s high school student Benjamin Marcelo Guerrero-Cruz, located at Lausd headquarters.
(Yamada/Los Angeles Times)
According to the GoFundMe page set for the family, Guerrero-Cruz has a 5-month-old twin brother and a 6-year-old brother.
In an interview with The Times, Becerra said Guerrero-Cruz told her he had a message to share: “Tell them we come here to do a better life, we do a good job, we are treated like criminals. I'm not a criminal. We work here and go to school. I want to finish high school.”
The Department of Homeland Security said Guerrero-Cruz is ultimately responsible for what happened.
“Guerrero-Cruz never had to be arrested – he made a variety of choices,” the department statement said. “He could have used a generous offer to get $1,000 and free flights to self-destruction through the CBP Home app. We encourage everyone here to illegally take advantage of this offer. … If not, you will be arrested and deported, with no chance to return.”
Students tell about his arrest
Guerrero-Cruz told Becerra that he thought walking the dog was safe on Friday morning, August 8. He didn't bother to dress up completely, going out in his pajamas and slippers.
But he said in surprise that he suddenly appeared through Bebera, about 7:50 a.m., about 15 people, about 15 people, about 3 SUVs near Sepulveda Boulevard and Clark Street on Van Nuys. They grabbed him and began calling him with names he said he didn't know.
Educators Claudia Rojas, Center and Lizette Becerra hugged after comments during the rally. Rojas and Becerra joined Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz in the Contreras study complex before students and families moved to the San Fernando Valley.
(Yamada/Los Angeles Times)
He protested that he was not the person they wanted. They said they would have to instruct him to confirm his identity – he said it never happened.
The young people also claimed that the people did not identify themselves or showed an arrest warrant. Several jackets were worn by “immigrant police.”
Becerra said a man took off the dog's collar and stamped the ground until the dog ran away, narrating her conversation with the student.
Neighbor Valerie T. on Tuesday verified what happened to the dog, who said she saw the end of the encounter and later caught the dog and returned it to her family.
Guerrero-Cruz told Becerra that he doesn't remember any agents worn by those who took him and talked about $1,500. However, later, the people met with agents who were clearly identified by badges of immigration and customs enforcement in the United States.
The Department of Homeland Security responded extensively to the details of Guerrero-Cruz supporters’ account.
“The allegations about CBP officials are wrong, and it is these allegations that are violent acts against our officials,” the statement said. “Our officials took professional action throughout the encounter. Guerrero-Cruz tied the dog to a tree after his mother refused to come. Under normal circumstances, the CBP could call animals to control and wait for them to help, but, due to the increase in attacks, obstacles, obstacles to operations and lies, like their behavior here, they were unable to do this.
In addition to the unexplained trip to the Santa Ana Detention Center, Guerrero-Cruz was detained in downtown Los Angeles in the first week – including last Thursday when his classmates began the new school year.
Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz is active in the school's Naval ROTC program.
(Rita Silva)
Related to Becerra, Guerrero-Cruz has no choice but to stay in his pajamas and sandals, unable to shower or brush for five days at the Los Angeles facility. In a small cell with five or six people, the only place with sleeping space is next to the toilet – he has to move anytime, anywhere.
Guerrero-Cruz was moved to Adelanto on Friday night and was given clothes and was able to take a shower on Saturday morning. He was in a cell of four, sleeping in a bunk bed.
Instead of responding to allegations about factory conditions in Los Angeles, the Department of Homeland Security focused on descriptions of the Adelanto conditions:
“The proper meals are provided to all detainees, quality water, blankets, medical care, and the opportunity to communicate with family and attorneys. ICE has a higher standard of detention than most U.S. prisons with actual U.S. citizens.”
“This is the best health care many aliens receive in their lifetimes. Meals are certified by dietitians. Ensuring the safety, security and well-being of individuals in our detention is a top priority on the ice,” the statement continued.
Bebera said Guerrero-Cruz did not complain about Adelanto's condition and that he had received clothes and shoes when she visited him.
Favorite student
18-year-old Guerrero-Cruz is older than some older people because he arrived in the United States in high school, like many new immigrants, was assigned to grade 9 because he had both the tasks of learning English and managing courses.
Because they usually have to catch up academically, these students can stay in the school system until they are 22 years old, Becerra said.
Becerra taught Guerrero-Cruz, who had recently arrived in the fall of 2023 at Contreras Learning Complex, west of the city.
“He's unforgettable. Very talkative. Sweet,” recalled Bebera. “He would pull the chair next to me and talk.”
Later, the boy moved to the San Fernando Valley with his family. Becerra also moved to another school where she is a teaching coach.
Guerrero-Cruz loves to play football.
A friend known as Ronny C. said in a statement that the young man's football team suddenly disappeared shocked his football: “On the field, he was shaky, he was shaky – always showing, working hard, and counting it week after week.
Young people are also active in the school's Naval ROTC program.
“He's really looking forward to graduation. Newcomers are the hardest-working student I've ever had,” Bebera said. “The fact that he stays in school – I'm really proud of him. As a newbie who doesn't speak English, it's not easy to do so.
“It's heartbreaking to see him there,” Bebera said. “He was excited. Apparently, he didn't want to be there. He was very anxious and nervous. When I left, he tried not to cry.”