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A Leseda High School student arrested by immigration agents on Aug. 8 and in custody at a detention facility told a former teacher that he overheard a masked man who boasted that he would receive $1,500 for his arrest, the instructor said.
On Tuesday afternoon, activists and educators gathered outside the Los Angeles Unified School District headquarters to seek the immediate release of 18-year-old Benjamin Guerrerocruz, who lives with his family in Vannuis.
Guerrero Cruz spoke on Sunday with his former English development teacher, Lisette Beterra, who visited him at the Federal Adelanto Detention Center on Sunday.
Reseda Charter High School student Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz was taken to an immigration agent while walking her dog.
(Rita Silva)
At the rally, Becerra said she explained to her how she heard the students brag about the money he received to catch him. Guerrero Cruz told Becerra that the agent told her that she was “lucky for him, they’ll be able to have a drink that weekend,” and that she spoke to the students.
“So my question is, who were these people who took him?” Becerra asked. “Yes, I’m worried that these are bounty hunters.”
When asked whether the request for a $1,500 payment for a student arrest was accurate, or if the department employs a bounty operator, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security responded.
“It claims that DHS will use private contractors or ‘bounty hunters’ to make arrests. ” The department said it was wrong to have acted inappropriately in any way. The spokesperson did not directly address the allegations regarding the $1,500 payment in a written response.
In 2022, the California lawsuit ended with a settlement that prohibited U.S. immigration and customs enforcement officers from using private contractors to arrest immigrants for deportation in state prisons and prisons.
The Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday emphasized that Guerrero Cruz was allegedly violating federal immigration laws.
“Benjamin Guerrero Cruz, an illegal foreigner from Chile, overestimated his visa for over two years and abused the visa waiver program, which required him to leave the United States on March 15, 2023,” the statement said.
The law firm representing the family refused to discuss the legal status of Guerrerocruz and his family. The lawyer also did not discuss the measures taken to ensure that families remain in the United States or the number of families at risk of deportation.
Professor Lizette Becerra speaks at a meeting of former students. She spoke to him at the Adelant detention facility where he was in custody.
(Juliana Yamada/Los Angeles Times)
According to the GoFundMe page, set for families, Guerrero-Cruz has five-month-old twin brothers and six-year-old brothers.
In an interview with the Times, Beterra said she told her that Guerrero Cruz had a message to share.
The Department of Homeland Security said Guerrerocruz was responsible for what happened to him in the end.
“Guerrero Cruz didn’t need to be arrested. He made several choices that led to this,” the department’s statement said. “He could have taken advantage of a generous offer to win $1,000 through the CBP Home App and a free flight to self-denial. I would recommend that everyone here take advantage of this offer.
Students tell about his arrest
Guerrero Cruz told Becerra that it was safe enough to walk the dog on Friday morning, August 8th. He went outside in his pyjamas and slippers and didn’t bother to be completely dressed.
But he was surprised, he said through Becerra, about 7:50am, through about 15 men and about three SUVs near the corner of Sepulveda Boulevard and Clark Street in Vanny. They grabbed him and began calling him by a name he said he didn’t recognize.
Educators Claudia Rojas, the Center, and Lizette Becerra embrace after Becerra’s speech during the rally. Rojas and Becerra worked with Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz when they arrived at school in 2023.
(Juliana Yamada/Los Angeles Times)
He protested that he was not the person he was looking for. They said he had to print him on his fingerprint to confirm his identity – what he said never happened, according to Becerra.
The youngster also claims that the man did not identify himself or show a warrant. He wore a few jackets that said “immigrant police.”
The man removed the dog’s collar and engraved it on the ground until the dog escaped, Becerra said, speaking of a conversation with the student.
An explanation of what happened with the dog was confirmed Tuesday by neighbor Valerie T. Valerie T. saw the end of the encounter and later said he caught the dog and returned it to his family.
Guerrero Cruz told Becerra that he couldn’t remember the agency insignia worn by the man who took him and told him about the $1,500. However, later these men met with agents who were clearly identified by the insignia of US immigration and customs enforcement.
Homeland Security has responded widely to account details from Guerrero Cruz supporters.
“The allegations regarding CBP executives are false and these are what contribute to the violence against our executives,” the statement said. “Our officers acted professionally throughout the encounter. Guerrero Cruz tied the dog to a tree after his mother refused to come and retrieve it. Under normal conditions, CBP lied to them as they did this because of increased attacks, thwarting operations, and increased rhetoric).
With the exception of an unexplained trip to Santa Ana’s detention center, Guerrerocruz was taken into custody in downtown Los Angeles for the first week.
Benjamin Guerrero Cruz was active in the school’s Navy ROTC program.
(Rita Silva)
As Becerra is related at the LA facility, Guerrero-Cruz had no choice but to stay in his pyjamas and sandals. In a small cell with five or six men, the only place where there was room to sleep was next to the toilet.
Guerrerocruz was moved to Adelanto late on a Friday night, where he was given clothes and allowed to take a shower on Saturday morning. He is on a four-person cell phone and sleeps on a bunk bed.
Homeland Security does not respond to claims regarding the terms of the LA facility, but instead focuses on explaining the terms of Adelanto.
“All detainees are provided with proper diet, quality water, blankets and medical care, and have the opportunity to communicate with their families and lawyers. ICE has higher detention standards than most U.S. prisons that house actual US citizens.”
The statement continued. “This is the best healthcare that many aliens have received for a lifetime. The diet is certified by a nutritionist. We ensure that personal safety, security and happiness within our custody are ice’s number one priority.”
Bechera said Guerrerocruz had not complained about Adelanto’s situation and received the clothes and shoes she should wear before she visited him.
Favourite student
18-year-old Guerrerocruz arrived in the United States in high school and, like many newcomers, was assigned to the ninth grade, due to the task of learning English and managing coursework, which led to some seniors.
Becerra said these students can stay in the school system until age 22, as they usually need to catch up academically.
Veterra taught Guerrerocruz, who recently arrived at the Contreras Learning Complex just west of downtown in the fall of 2023.
“He was memorable. He’s very chatty. Sweet,” Becerra recalls. “He pulled up the chair next to me and spoke.”
The boy later moved to the San Fernando Valley with his family. Bekera also moved to another school, where she is an education coach.
Guerrero Cruz loved playing football.
A friend identified as Ronnie C said in a statement that the young man’s soccer team was devastated by a sudden loss.
The youth also worked in the school’s Navy ROTC program.
“He was really looking forward to graduating. The newcomers are some of the hardest working students I have ever had,” Becerra said. “The fact that he stayed at school – I was really proud of him. It’s not easy to do that as a newcomer who doesn’t speak English.
“It’s heartbreaking to see him there,” Becerra said. “He’s upset. Obviously he doesn’t want to be there. He’s very anxious and nervous. He tried not to cry when I left.”
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