Congresswoman Luz Rivas’ Statement on Reseda High School Student Being Reunited with Family

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29) released the following statement regarding Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz, a senior at Reseda High School, who was abducted by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in August, and now reunited with his family after being detained at the Adelanto Detention Center:

"I am beyond relieved to see Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz home and reunited with his family - especially his mother - who can tightly hold her son again after months of fear and uncertainty at the hands of an out-of-control ICE.

"Benjamin and his family should have never been placed in this situation to begin with. The Trump Administration's cruel anti-immigrant agenda and ICE is forcing communities and immigrant families to live in fear. It is wrong. That is why I am fighting every day for immigrants - conducting oversight at immigration detention facilities, working on immigration casework and alongside immigration groups, and demanding answers.

"I am glad to welcome Benjamin home, and hope he and his family can begin to heal after a traumatic experience. I will continue fighting to protect our communities and reunite families that have been torn apart at the hands of Donald Trump and ICE's inhumane and cruel actions."

Background:

Congresswoman Rivas announced Benjamin's return on the floor of the House of Representatives. Watch her remarks here.

On August 8, Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz, a senior at Reseda High School, was detained while walking his dog in Van Nuys. He was held at the Los Angeles Detention Center and the Adelanto Detention Center before being transferred to a detention center in Arizona on August 26. ICE did not notify Benjamin's family of his transfer.

On August 26, Congresswoman Luz Rivas conducted an unannounced visit to Adelanto Detention Facility to conduct oversight of the facility and perform a wellness check on constituents who are currently being detained at the facility. This visit came in response to information that Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz was transferred across state lines to a detention facility in Arizona without notifying his immediate family.

Following her visits to the Adelanto Detention Facility and learning about Benjamin's story, Congresswoman Rivas introduced the Immigration Notification for Facility Oversight and Relocation Management (INFORM)Act. The INFORM Actwill require that, within 24 hours, ICE must notify the immediate family member of a detainee if the detainee is transferred to another detention center. Current law, rules, and regulations do not require ICE to notify family members when a detainee is transferred. The only instance ICE notifies the family is in the case of death.

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