Sergio G.S.: Chef deported after 36 years in U.S., held captive in Mexico
Sergio Garcia Silva, 65, a chef who once catered for President Bush's staff, was deported after 36 years over a 1989 order, then held captive by an extortion group in Mexico.
Jun 1, 2025Waco, TXCountry of origin: Mexico

Sergio Garcia Silva, a 65-year-old chef who lived in the United States for 36 years, was arrested by ICE at his food truck in Waco, Texas, and deported to Mexico on March 25, 2025. His only immigration infraction was a two-decade-old deportation order for illegal re-entry from 1989 that had never previously been enforced; he had no other criminal record. His restaurant, El Siete Mares, had once catered a breakfast for President George W. Bush's White House press corps. After deportation he was held captive by an extortion group and faced violence in Chiapas, Mexico. He was later apprehended by Border Patrol while attempting to return to the U.S., resulting in a second deportation in June 2025. The ordeal separated him from his four U.S.-born children, though his wife, Sandra, later reunited with him in her hometown of Monterrey.
Timeline
Tags
Sources
- ICE deports chef who lived in US for 36 years with no criminal record
Newsweek·Oct 8, 2025·archived copy
- The Mirror
- “Why Sergio?”: Deportation ends 36-year dream for celebrated Waco chef
Texas Tribune·Oct 7, 2025·archived copy
Texas Reporter·Oct 8, 2025
- Beloved chef Sergio Garcia deported after 36 years in US — came here before ICE even existed
Loading…
More incidents in Texas
- ICE agent points pistol at workers during Texas workplace raidOct 21, 2026 · Brownsville, TX
- Mother detained by ICE, leaving two young daughters alone in ConroeOct 21, 2026 · Conroe, TX
- Houston homebuilder fatally shot by ICE agent in case of mistaken identityOct 21, 2026 · Houston, TX
- Gerald A.: Shackled man alleges guards fractured his wrist and spineOct 17, 2026 · Fort Bliss, TX
- Samuel: 19-year-old Venezuelan man alleges officers broke his tooth and crushed his testiclesOct 17, 2026 · Fort Bliss, TX
- Abel: Cuban man says guards beat him when he refused transfer to MexicoOct 17, 2026 · Fort Bliss, TX