Congresswoman Luz Rivas Demands Accountability from ICE over Traumatic Detainee Transfers

Strategic Insights -

Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29) has issued a scathing letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons, demanding answers and accountability over the transfer of Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz, an 18-year-old high school student detained without notification to his family. The letter highlights a chaotic and mismanaged detainee transfer, with Benjamin being transferred from the Adelanto Detention Center in California to a facility in Arizona, then to Louisiana, and back to Adelanto within a 48-hour period. ICE personnel denied Congresswoman Rivas entry to inspect and speak with the Leadership at the facility, violating the law and refusing to provide a reason for the transfer or notification to Benjamin's family.

Key Takeaways:

  • Congresswoman Luz Rivas demanded accountability from ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons over the traumatic and chaotic transfer of Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz, an 18-year-old high school student.
  • Benjamin was transferred from the Adelanto Detention Center in California to a facility in Arizona, then to Louisiana, and back to Adelanto within a 48-hour period, without notifying his family.
  • ICE personnel denied Congresswoman Rivas entry to inspect and speak with the Leadership at the facility, violating the law.
  • The law requires no prior notice for Congressional oversight visits, but ICE personnel claimed their website superseded the law, citing a 24-hour notice and later changing it to 7-day notice.
  • The transfer of Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz is similar to thousands across the country where people are detained and transferred in the dead of night without notification.
  • Congresswoman Rivas is demanding answers to questions related to ICE's decision-making process, notification systems, and budget for detainee transfers.
  • The Congressman will continue to demand access to ICE facilities to conduct Congressional oversight and ensure humane treatment of all detainees.

Statistics:

  • 1 detainee, Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz, was transferred within a 48-hour period without notification to his family.
  • Thousands of detainees are transferred in the dead of night without notification across the country.
  • 3 times: ICE personnel denied Congresswoman Rivas entry to inspect and speak with the Leadership at the facility, violating the law.
  • 7-day notice: The time frame ICE personnel initially claimed was needed for Congresswoman Rivas to conduct her oversight visit.
  • $ (amount): The cost per transfer for taxpayers, which Congresswoman Rivas demands ICE provide in their response.
  • 72 hours: The time frame Congresswoman Rivas demands ICE to respond to her questions within.
  • August 25-27, 2025: The period during which Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz was transferred across state lines without notification.

Sources:

  • Congresswoman Luz Rivas, "Congresswoman Luz Rivas Demands Accountability from ICE and Immigrant Detainee Transfers" (Press Release, August 29, 2023)
  • Original text: https://rivas.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-luz-rivas-demands-accountability-ice-and-immigrant-detainee