Johanny L.: Venezuelan asylum seeker with work authorization held by ICE at checkpoint
Johanny Lacruz, a Venezuelan asylum seeker with work authorization, was detained at a checkpoint despite no criminal record. Her fiancé noted a congressman freed a similarly situated teen but could not help her.
Feb 1, 2026Raymondville, TXCountry of origin: Venezuela
Johanny Lacruz, a Venezuelan asylum seeker and fiancée of Juan Rodriguez, was detained by ICE at a Border Patrol checkpoint in February 2026 despite having valid work authorization and no criminal record. Rodriguez observed that U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz secured the release of Antonio Gámez-Cuéllar, a teenager in the same detention facility with similar legal status, but was unable to obtain similar assistance for his fiancée. Both Lacruz and Gámez-Cuéllar were detained during the Trump administration's deportation operations.
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Sources
- ICE releases Marine veteran's wife from custody after Trump Ally request
Newsweek·Jul 29, 2025·archived copy
- With no ties to Congress, Texan wonders who will help fiancée in ICE custody
Texas Tribune·Mar 14, 2026·archived copy
- U.S. News & World Report
- Marine vet’s wife released from ICE custody after senator’s advocacy
Yahoo News·Jul 30, 2025·archived copy
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