A group of teachers and activists joined their voices this Monday to demand the release of Benjamin Marcelo Guerrero Cruz, the Reseda Charter High School student arrested by masked agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Friday, August 8, while walking his dog in the Van Nuys neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Benjamin Marcelo, the son of a single mother, had just turned 18 and was about to begin his senior year at Reseda High School.

After being arrested, he was taken to Arizona without his family's knowledge; And due to pressure from his defense, he was returned to California, where he remains in custody at the Adelanto Detention Center. "He dreams of the day he can go back to school and graduate. So we are going to continue fighting so that he can achieve that," said teacher Lizette Becerra, who has visited him at the Adelanto Detention Center, where he is being held. The young man, born in Chile, has three siblings: five-year-old twins and a six-year-old. According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, he was detained for remaining in the country with an expired tourist visa, which required him to leave the country by March 15, 2023. "The United States is offering undocumented immigrants $1,000 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage all those who are here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the opportunity to return to the United States the right way." and legal to live the American dream,” they added in the statement.

“Otherwise, they will be arrested and deported with no possibility of returning.”

On the GoFundMe account Help support a family in crisis after ICE detention, created to raise funds for Benjamin's legal defense and to help his family, the boy is described as “much more than a student: he is an exemplary son, a loving brother, a loyal friend, and a valued member of our community.”

It also reveals that “he takes on a great deal of responsibility at home, helping to care for his five-month-old twin siblings and his six-year-old brother. He is a good student, with a big heart, who has always been there for his family.”

Rita Silva, organizer of the GoFundMe account, posted an update on his case,saying that these past few weeks have been difficult and uncertain, but their love and generosity have reminded Benjamin and his family that they are not alone on this journey.

She also noted that every donation, and every time they share the post and messages of support, has been a lifeline, proof that even in the darkest moments, the light of community shines brightest.

“Many of you have asked about Athena (the dog), and we are happy to share good news: a wonderful friend lovingly fostered her, and she is now back home with the family. His return has brought comfort and healing, a small glimmer of normalcy that has lifted everyone's spirits.”

As for Benjamin, she said he remains hopeful.

“At just 18 years old, with his whole life ahead of him, he finds strength in knowing he has the support of so many. He longs to return to the classroom, where he belongs.”

Rita said Benjamin asked them to share how much joy it brings him to know that people he doesn't even know are supporting him.

“Your support gives me hope every day,” Benjamin said through Rita.

She added that keeping his name in mind is one of the greatest acts of solidarity they can offer.

“Your support continues to make an immeasurable difference.”

“It allows his family to get ahead, cover them.” basic needs, and focus on what's most important: Benjamin's well-being and the fight for his future," Rita said. It is estimated that at least four students from Los Angeles schools have been detained by immigration authorities this summer. The most high-profile cases have been the arrest and deportation of 15-year-old Nory Sontay Ramos, a student at Miguel Contreras Learning Center, and 17-year-old Johanna, a student at Maywood Academy High School. Both students were deported to Guatemala. Nory Sontay lost her mother in Guatemala months after her heartbreaking deportation. A 15-year-old student from San Fernando High School was detained by ICE for a few hours and later released. The organizer of the GoFundMe account posted an update on his case, saying that these past few weeks have been difficult and uncertain, but their love and generosity have reminded Benjamin and his family that they are not alone on this journey. But she also noted that each donation, and every time they share the post and messages of support, has been a lifeline, proof that even in the darkest moments, the light of the community shines brighter. "Many of you have asked about Athena (the dog), and we are happy to share some good news: a wonderful friend lovingly fostered her, and she is now back home with the family. Her return has brought comfort and healing, a small glimmer of normalcy that has lifted everyone's spirits."As for Benjamin, she said he remains hopeful. "At just 18 years old, with his whole life ahead of him, he finds strength in knowing he has the support of so many. His trial is scheduled for early November, in less than two months, and his legal team is exploring all possible options. “He longs to return to the classroom, where he belongs.” Rita said Benjamin asked them to share that it fills him with joy. It brings him joy to know that people he doesn't even know are supporting him.

“Your support continues to make an immeasurable difference. It allows his family to get by, cover their basic needs, and focus on what matters most: Benjamin's well-being and the fight for his future,” Rita noted.

It is estimated that at least four students from Los Angeles schools have been detained by immigration authorities this summer.

The most high-profile cases have been the arrest and deportation of 15-year-old Nory Sontay Ramos, a student at Miguel Contreras Learning Center, and 17-year-old Johanna, a student at Maywood Academy High School, was deported to Guatemala. Nory Sontay lost her mother in Guatemala, months after her painful deportation. A 15-year-old student from San Fernando High School was detained by ICE for a few hours and later released. The organizer of the GoFundMe account posted an update on her case, saying that these past few weeks have been difficult and uncertain, but their love and generosity have reminded them that they are not alone on this journey. she also noted that each donation, and every time they share the post and messages of support, it has been a lifeline, proof that even in the darkest moments, the light of the community shines brighter. "Many of you have asked about Athena (the dog), and we are happy to share some good news: a wonderful friend lovingly fostered her, and she is now back home with the family. Her return has brought comfort and healing, a small glimmer of normalcy that has lifted everyone's spirits." As for Benjamin, she said he remains hopeful. "At just 18 years old, with his whole life ahead of him, he finds strength in knowing he has the support of so many. His trial is scheduled for early November, in less than two months, and his legal team is exploring all possible options. He takes a long time to return to the classroom, where he belongs." Rita said Benjamin asked them to share that it fills him with joy. It brings him joy to know that people he doesn't even know are supporting him.

“Your support gives me hope every day,” Benjamin said through Rita.

She added that keeping his name in mind is one of the greatest acts of solidarity they can offer.

“Your support continues to make an immeasurable difference. It allows his family to get by, cover their basic needs, and focus on what matters most: Benjamin's well-being and the fight for his future,” Rita noted.

It is estimated that at least four students from Los Angeles schools have been detained by immigration authorities this summer.

The most high-profile cases have been the arrest and deportation of 15-year-old Nory Sontay Ramos, a student at Miguel Contreras Learning Center, and 17-year-old Johanna, a student at Maywood Academy High School. Both students were deported to Guatemala. Nory Sontay lost her mother in Guatemala, months after her painful deportation. A 15-year-old student from San Fernando High School was detained by ICE for a few hours and later released.

“Many of you have asked about Athena (the dog), and we are happy to share some good news: a wonderful friend lovingly fostered her, and she is now back home with the family. Her return has brought comfort and healing, a small glimmer of normalcy that has lifted everyone's spirits.”

As for Benjamin, she said he remains. hopeful.

“At just 18 years old, with his whole life ahead of him, he finds strength in knowing he has the support of so many. His trial is scheduled for early November, in less than two months, and his legal team is exploring all possible options. He longs to return to the classroom, where he belongs.”

Rita said Benjamin asked them to share that it fills him with joy to know that people he doesn't even know are supporting him.

“Your support gives me hope every day,” Benjamin said through Rita.

She added that keeping his name in the public eye is one of the greatest acts of solidarity they can offer.

“Their support continues to make an immeasurable difference. It allows his family to get by, cover their basic needs, and focus on what matters most: Benjamin's well-being and the fight for his future,” Rita said.

It is estimated that at least four students from Los Angeles schools have been detained by immigration authorities this summer.

The most high-profile cases have been the arrest and deportation of 15-year-old Nory Sontay Ramos, a student at Miguel Contreras Learning Center, and 17-year-old Johanna, a student at Maywood Academy High School. Both students were deported to Guatemala. Nory Sontay lost her mother in Guatemala months after her heartbreaking deportation.

A 15-year-old student from San Fernando High School was detained by ICE for a few hours and later released.

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