A Los Angeles, California, high school student is at the center of a growing controversy after being taken into custody by federal immigration officials, igniting fierce debate across social media. According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz, identified as an “illegal alien from Chile,” had overstayed his visa by more than two years. Officials allege he abused the Visa Waiver Program, which required him to leave the United States by March 15, 2023. DHS confirmed he will remain in ICE custody pending removal.
The news segment, broadcast by California station KTLA 5, described the situation as part of “controversial immigration raids” taking place in the area. The clip was reshared online with the caption, “ICE grabs a high school student out walking his dog. Leave the dog behind in traffic. Agents joked ‘Thanks to him, we get to drink this weekend,’ laughing, he just made them $2,500.”
They added, “First tied the dog to a tree, then cut the collar off and let him run loose in heavy traffic on Sepulveda Blvd. Benjamin Marcelo Guerrero-Cruz is currently ‘cramped in a holding cell with about 50 others… He is cold, scared, and one of the youngest there.’ At home, his mother depends on him to take care of his 6-year-old brother and his twin 5-month-old brothers. He should be starting his senior year at Reseda High School in Reseda, California.”
California High School Student Detained by Federal Immigration Sparks Outrage Online
The post quickly went viral, racking up over 1.4 million views and fueling a heated discussion. Many users expressed deep frustration and sadness over the arrest. “This is absolutely appalling and devastating and disgusting!” one wrote, while another lamented the collateral damage of such raids, “They’re leaving the dogs, they’re leaving the cats! The forsaken pets and property can pose safety problems for cities and towns, along with ramping up the stress for family members who also fear being detained.”
Others slammed what they saw as misplaced priorities. “Soulless people celebrating over $2,500. I hate it here,” one person wrote. “Elon should hurry up with his new universe; I want to move.” Another bluntly asked, “Is there no bigger d-ckheads in America right now?”
As the story gains traction, it’s fueling a broader conversation about immigration enforcement, family separation, and the lasting effects such actions have on communities. With the debate showing no signs of slowing down, Guerrero-Cruz’s case has quickly become a flashpoint in the ongoing national conversation over U.S. immigration policy.
