20 DACA Recipients Held by ICE, Activists Report

Rising Concerns Over DACA Recipients in ICE Custody

Recent reports have raised alarms among immigration activists and advocates regarding the detention of individuals protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. According to recent claims, up to 20 DACA recipients have been detained by federal agents across the United States in the past few weeks and months. These detentions have sparked significant concern, especially since many of these individuals recently had their status renewed by the U.S. government.

The renewed status includes a review of whether the individuals have committed any crimes since their last appearance in immigration court. This has led to questions about the legality of these arrests, particularly as some of those detained are considered "Dreamers" — individuals who were brought to the U.S. as children and have lived here for most of their lives.

A Personal Story of Separation

One such case that has drawn national attention occurred in El Paso five weeks ago. Alejandra, the wife of DACA recipient Paulo Cesar Gamez Lira, shared her family’s painful experience. On August 13, her husband was taken from his car by seven civilians without an arrest warrant or identification. He was dragged away in front of his children, leaving the family shattered.

Alejandra found her husband at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Otero County, New Mexico. She described his emotional state as broken, feeling betrayed by the country he considers home. “I share this because I refuse to allow my husband be disappeared in silence,” she said. “My children and I need him at home. Pablo should be freed.”

Legal Challenges and Conflicts

Border Report reached out to ICE for comments on the Gamez case and the claims made by Fwd.US and United We Dream regarding the number of DACA recipients in custody. Previously, ICE stated that any immigrant with a criminal record is subject to removal proceedings. In response to the latest case, ICE officials labeled Gamez as a “criminal alien” due to his 2016 arrest for possession of marijuana and disorderly conduct.

This situation is not isolated. Gamez is the second known DACA recipient to be arrested in El Paso. On August 3, Border Patrol agents took Catalina “Xochitl” Santiago into custody at El Paso International Airport for alleged past criminal charges, including trespassing and suspicion of drug possession.

An immigration judge later terminated Santiago’s case, but ICE quickly requested the judge to recuse himself and reconsider the decision. Deya Aldana, campaigns director for United We Dream, stated that nearly 20 DACA recipients have been apprehended by ICE during the Trump administration and are currently in removal proceedings.

Broader Implications and Political Responses

Aldana expressed concern over the broader implications of these detentions. “What we are seeing is a blunt and alarming escalation in an effort to chip away at and weaken DACA,” she said. “This affects all immigrants because if they come for someone with valid protections, they will do that to more and more people.”

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, a Democrat from California, criticized the arrests of “Dreamers” as evidence of the Trump administration's desperation to fulfill campaign promises of mass deportations. He emphasized that the majority of those being detained do not have violent criminal records. Instead, many work in critical industries such as healthcare, which are essential to national security.

Senator Richard Durbin, also a Democrat from Illinois, echoed these sentiments, pointing out that “Dreamers” are not the violent criminals, rapists, and murderers that former President Trump vowed to deport. He stressed the importance of recognizing the contributions of these individuals to American society.

These incidents highlight the ongoing debate surrounding immigration policy and the rights of those protected under DACA. As the legal battles continue, the personal stories of families like Alejandra’s serve as a powerful reminder of the human impact of these policies.