'Education, not deportation': Reseda High School senior held in ICE custody

A group of Los Angeles Unified school teachers came together Monday to support an 18-year-old Reseda High School student who has been in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody for more than a month.

Benjamin Marcelo Guerrero-Cruz has been in the Adelanto Detention Center since he was detained in August while walking his dog near his family’s apartment in Van Nuys.

Teacher Lisette Becerra told KTLA’s Sandra Mitchell that she visited the teen and noticed him suffering in ICE custody.

“He is treated like a prisoner, he cannot go anywhere, he cannot do anything,” she explained. “He wants out.”

The message of teachers gathered to support Guerrero Cruz on Monday was “education, not deportation.”

“We’re here because he’s still there,” Becerra said. “He was not released.”

According to the Department of Homeland Security, the high school student has overstayed his visa by more than two years and is in the country illegally from Chile. Federal officials added that he will remain in custody until he is extradited.

Teacher Ron Gochez told KTLA that the 18-year-old should be allowed to go to school and be with his family, a sentiment the student’s neighbor, identified only as Valerie T., agreed with.

“I want him to finish his senior year and enjoy this year like any other 18-year-old and be reunited with his family,” she said. “He misses them and they really miss him.”

Valeria witnessed Guerrero Cruz being detained by federal agents and has visited him since his detention.

“It’s really sad. It’s really heartbreaking and traumatic for him. He’ll never be the same,” she said. “It is shocking to his family, to our neighborhood, to our street, to everyone who witnessed this, and to the community.”

A GoFundMe It was organized to help raise money for legal fees and immigration services, as well as to help him build his life if he is deported.