August 18, 2025

On a calm morning in Los Angeles, an 18-year-old's simple dog walk turned into a dramatic scene. Benjamin Marcelo Guerrero-Cruz, a high school senior from Reseda Charter High, was suddenly arrested by masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on August 8. Benjamin was walking his family's dog along Sepulveda Boulevard in Van Nuys when the agents detained him. The authorities say Benjamin overstayed his Visa Waiver Program by more than two years, which requires travelers to leave the U.S. by March 15, 2023. This violation led to his arrest. Originally from Chile, Benjamin had just turned 18 and was getting ready to start his senior year at school when his life changed overnight. Benjamin is not just a student; he plays a big role in his family. He helps care for his five-month-old twin brothers and a six-year-old sibling. After his arrest, his family created a GoFundMe page to raise money for legal fees and daily needs. They call him a “devoted son, caring brother, loyal friend, and valued member of our community.” Friends and soccer teammates speak of Benjamin with great respect. One teammate said, “rock-solid – always showed up, worked hard, and could be counted on week after week.” Another praised his humility and calm nature, saying he always lifts others up. The arrest also brought a heartbreaking detail: ICE agents tied Benjamin's dog to a tree, removed its collar, and left it to wander free on a busy street. This has deeply upset his family and neighbors. Benjamin’s mother shared painful details with LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. She described the detention center as overcrowded with almost 40 men crammed in a small area. There was no place to sit or lie down, little food, and scarce water. Carvalho quoted her: “He drinks water once a day,” and added, “She was crying with every word that came out of her mouth.” Community support is strong. The GoFundMe campaign has raised over $47,000, showing massive backing from neighbors, friends, and strangers. However, a family associate said agents joked about enjoying a weekend of drinks “thanks to him” when they arrested Benjamin, adding salt to the wound. This arrest came suddenly, disrupting Benjamin’s plans and throwing a dark shadow over his senior year. It also adds fuel to the ongoing worries among immigrant families about enforcement actions near schools. Earlier this year, a troubling incident happened when immigration agents tried to enter an elementary school and mistakenly handcuffed a 15-year-old disabled student nearby. Carvalho pointed out the long-term damage these moments cause: “These moments imprint on young minds, distracting them from academic lessons and replacing intellectual curiosity with worry.” Benjamin’s story is now a part of a larger conversation on how immigrant families are treated and the impact on communities in Los Angeles.

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Tags: Benjamin marcelo guerrero-cruz, Ice arrest, Immigration detention, Los angeles, Visa overstay, Community support,