CALIFORNIA – Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29) sent a letter August 29 seeking answers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding the transfer of a high school student from Adelanto Detention Center to a facility in Arizona.
Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz, an 18-year-old Reseda High School student, was walking his family dog on August 8 when masked ICE agents detained him.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Guerrero-Cruz faces deportation to Chile after overstaying his visa, which required him to leave the U.S. by March 2023.
Between August 25 and August 27, ICE transferred Guerrero-Cruz from Adelanto to a detention facility in Arizona. Originally slated for transfer to Louisiana, he was returned to Adelanto, according to Rivas.
Rivas said ICE is not notifying family members of detainees’ locations.
“I am deeply concerned that these detainees are intentionally being transferred to other detention centers across the country to sever vital connections to their legal counsel, family, and friends,” said Rivas.
Denied entry to detention center
Rivas noted that ICE denied her entry when she attempted an oversight visit.
“The ICE personnel denied my entry and changed their reasoning from needing 24-hour notice to 7-day notice. ICE personnel also claimed the policy on their website superseded the law – which is absolutely unacceptable behavior and reasoning from the federal government,” said Rivas.
She cited 8 U.S.C. 1556 (b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA):
“Nothing in this section may be construed to require a Member of Congress to provide prior notice of the intent to enter a facility described in subsection (a) for the purpose of conducting oversight.”
Rivas also said ICE gave no reason for transferring Guerrero-Cruz farther from his family and lawyer, calling it part of a broader pattern of secretive nighttime transfers nationwide.
Demands answers with 72 hours
Rivas is demanding a response within 72 hours regarding the transfer. She said she will continue seeking access to ICE facilities to conduct Congressional oversight.
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