A Los Angeles high school senior was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents last week, with witnesses saying the officers left his dog loose in the street.
Benjamin Marcelo Guerrero Cruz, 18, was taken into custody on Friday, August 8, in Van Nuys, according to a GoFundMe set up to support him.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) told Newsweek that they could not comment on the specific case, citing privacy concerns.
“Los Angeles Unified stands united in protecting every student and family during this period of heightened immigration enforcement,” the spokesperson said. “Working closely with city leaders and municipal partners, we have strengthened safety measures at and around our schools. This includes enhanced communication with various entities, visible presence in impacted communities, and rapid-response protocols should enforcement activity occur.”
Los Angeles has recently been a focus of stepped-up immigration enforcement, with local officials voicing concerns about ICE overreach. As the new school year began, LAUSD issued updated guidelines aimed at shielding students from federal agents whenever possible.
ICE agents detained Guerrero-Cruz, a Chilean national who turned 18 last month, just as he was about to begin his senior year at Reseda Charter High School. According to the GoFundMe, agents approached him early Friday morning on Sepulveda Boulevard as he walked his dog. Witnesses say they tied the dog to a tree before unclipping its collar, allowing it to run into the street while Guerrero-Cruz was taken away.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told KTLA that Guerrero-Cruz had overstayed his visa by more than two years. He was supposed to leave in March 2023, when his visa waiver expired.
As of Friday morning, Guerrero-Cruz remained in ICE detention in Los Angeles. The fundraiser had collected more than $24,000 to cover legal costs and basic needs for his mother and siblings, who also fear federal action.
Friends and classmates have rallied behind him. His soccer teammates described him as dependable, kind, and deeply respected both on and off the field.
Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said at a Thursday press conference: “He is 18 years old, but he’s a kid. He has not been exposed to anything in his life. He drinks water once a day. The food is insufficient. Mom said that there was not enough room for everybody to sit or lie down at the same time.”
One teammate, Ronny C, wrote on the GoFundMe page: “We’re devastated to lose such a good kid and great teammate. On the field, he was rock-solid—always showed up, worked hard, and could be counted on week after week. Off the field, he was just as reliable: kind, respectful, and someone who lifted up the people around him. It’s heartbreaking to see him taken from us like this, and we’ll truly miss not just the player, but the person he was.”
The incident unfolded just days before ICE agents briefly detained a 15-year-old student with disabilities elsewhere in Los Angeles. In response, LAUSD deployed staff and school police around 100 campuses to safeguard students from immigration enforcement activity.
Tensions remain high between Los Angeles officials, including Mayor Karen Bass, and the Trump administration, which has insisted that ICE retains full authority to carry out arrests in sanctuary cities.
