Street Food Vendor Arrested in Las Vegas Faces Deportation by ICE
A street food vendor in Las Vegas is facing deportation after being released from jail into the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The vendor, Jose Carlos Hernandez Perez, was arrested on August 6 near the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. He now faces charges of battery on a protected person, violation of mobile food vendor regulations, and obstructing a public officer.
Hernandez Perez, 36, was released from the Clark County Detention Center on August 8 and immediately detained by ICE, according to a spokesperson from the local advocacy group Make the Road Nevada. His arrest and potential deportation have left his family devastated.
Sandra Hernandez, Hernandez Perez’s fourteen-year-old daughter, expressed her distress in a press release. I am shocked and heartbroken because my dad is at risk of being deported. I am mentally and emotionally drained, she said. I cry myself to sleep, knowing that my dad is in detention and unable to come home. I want him to come home to me.
Hernandez Perez had previously been detained by ICE when he entered the U.S. from Mexico as an asylum seeker, according to a petition created by Make the Road Nevada. Currently, he is awaiting a court date to determine his immigration status.
Sen. Edgar Flores, who represents Las Vegas and is also an immigration attorney, is advocating for Hernandez Perez’s release. A letter of support posted on the Instagram page of the family’s business described Hernandez Perez as the main provider for his family and highlighted the violent conditions they fled from in their home country.
The news of Hernandez Perez’s detention has deeply affected his family. Yadira, Hernandez Perez’s sister, pleaded for his return. Our family is heartbroken ICE took my brother into custody. Our family is asking ICE to please bring my brother home to his daughter and his family, she said.
The Metropolitan Police Department has not yet commented on the situation.
It is critical to address the topic of immigration and deportation from multiple perspectives, ensuring a balanced view of the issue. Only by presenting various opinions and experiences can we foster a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by families like Hernandez Perez’s.
The fight to keep Hernandez Perez with his loved ones continues, and many are calling for ICE to reconsider his deportation. The case serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and personal tolls associated with immigration policies in the United States.
