Benjamin Marcelo Guerrero-Cruz, an 18-year-old high school student from Los Angeles, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last week. He was reportedly stopped near Sepulveda Boulevard in western LA County while walking a dog.
The sudden detention shocked his family, who are now struggling to gather funds for legal representation.
Family Launches GoFundMe Campaign
To cover legal expenses, the family set up a GoFundMe page, which has raised over $47,126 as of this writing. The campaign is being managed by family associate Rita Silva.
The GoFundMe description reads:
“Less than a week ago, he turned 18, filled with dreams for his Senior year of high school.”
The post also claimed that ICE agents acted aggressively:
“They tied the dog to a tree and then unclipped the collar off him to run loose on Sepulveda Blvd.”
Another line from the campaign alleges misconduct:
“They treated him like a criminal, telling as they joked while arresting him that ‘thanks to him, they get to drink this weekend,’ laughing about the $2,500 they just secured.”
Who Is Benjamin Marcelo Guerrero-Cruz?
Benjamin is a senior at Reseda Charter High School, part of the LAUSD district. According to a Facebook post, he is described as:
“A devoted son, a caring brother, a loyal friend, and a valued member of our community.”
He lives with his family and helps care for his younger siblings, including twin brothers (5 months old) and a 6-year-old brother.
