El Paso, Texas – Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed that a 17‑year‑old student at El Paso High School, her 11‑year‑old sister, and their parents were taken into custody during a targeted enforcement sweep on Oct. 22. The family, who entered the United States without legal documentation on Aug. 12, 2022, was apprehended in El Paso and is now held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in South Texas pending a hearing before an immigration judge.
Details of the arrests
According to a written statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ICE agents arrested Pablo Jose Guerrero‑Pimentel, a Venezuelan national who admitted he was in the country illegally, along with the 17‑year‑old female passenger – the El Paso High student – who also lacks lawful status. In a separate but simultaneous operation, ICE detained Dolores Emilia Zarraga‑Colina, another Venezuelan national who likewise acknowledged her illegal presence, together with her 11‑year‑old daughter.
Government response and options for unlawful immigrants
The DHS statement emphasized that detention is a voluntary choice and encouraged anyone without lawful status to consider self‑deportation through the CBP Home app, which offers a $3,000 incentive and a free flight. The agency noted that those who do not take advantage of the program may face arrest and removal without a guaranteed opportunity to return.
Local officials weigh in
U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro has publicly called ICE to release the family, urging a review of their detention. While the family’s attorney has not yet commented, the case highlights the ongoing tension between federal immigration enforcement and community concerns in El Paso.
Legal context
The family entered the United States illegally in 2022 and, under the previous administration, were released. Their current detention reflects the Trump administration’s renewed focus on enforcing immigration laws and securing the border. ICE officials reiterated that due process will be afforded to the family as they await their immigration hearing.
What this means for the community
El Paso, a border city with a large immigrant population, frequently finds itself at the center of national immigration debates. The arrests serve as a reminder that federal enforcement actions can directly affect local families and schools. Community leaders are urged to stay informed about immigration policies and the resources available to families facing similar circumstances.
For ongoing coverage of this story and related immigration developments, stay tuned to local news outlets.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
