Pascual Andres, a 45-year-old undocumented immigrant from Guatemala and father of two active-duty U.S. Marines, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after a minor car accident on August 16 in Palm Beach County, Florida, The Palm Beach Post reported Friday.
His daughters called the situation “not really fair,” noting their service to the country while their father now faces deportation.
Why It Matters
Andres’ detention reflects President Donald Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, implemented under 287(g) agreements that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis required all state law enforcement agencies to sign. These agreements give local and state police the authority to act as federal immigration agents, enabling them to detain individuals suspected of being in the country illegally during routine patrols.
The Trump administration has announced plans to conduct mass deportations, asserting that all undocumented immigrants are breaking the law by remaining in the U.S. The undocumented immigrant population rose to 14 million in 2023, the highest number ever recorded, according to estimates from the nonpartisan Pew Research Center.
Immigrants in the U.S.—both undocumented and those with legal status such as visas or green cards—have been detained. Many with criminal records, even dating back decades, have also been taken into ICE custody despite having lived for years without major immigration issues.
