A man named Bryant Sempoalt Chavez, who grew up in San Diego, has been held in an Arizona detention center for over two months. His family and attorney say he was accused of stealing baby food.
Chavez came to the U.S. from Mexico in 2002 when he was just about four years old. His family settled in El Cajon. At 16, he applied for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), a program that gives protection from deportation to young undocumented immigrants who meet specific criteria. Chavez has been renewing his DACA status every two years and works in construction. He graduated from Grossmont High School, married a U.S. citizen, and has two daughters, ages 1 and 4. His DACA is valid until 2027, and he is currently in the process of applying for a green card through his wife.
While visiting family in Arizona, Chavez was charged with petty theft. According to his attorney, Michael Hirman, the accusations involved baby food. Chavez missed a court date related to this charge, resulting in an arrest warrant. When his family tried to bail him out in November, he was instead transferred to ICE custody, which is more common in Arizona due to tight cooperation between local law enforcement and immigration officials.
Chavez reportedly informed the agents that he has DACA status, but was met with hostility and taken to the Eloy Detention Center near Phoenix, where he is now in deportation proceedings. His mother expressed deep concern for her family, saying, “You can’t understand how much someone suffers when they have a loved one detained until you live it.”
During a recent bond hearing, the attorney for the Department of Homeland Security labeled Chavez as an “arriving alien.” Hirman explained that this term typically refers to people who present themselves at the border. “Chavez came to the U.S. more than two decades ago, so it doesn’t make sense to categorize him that way,” he said. He argues that a memo from the DHS improperly classifies anyone without authorization as an arriving alien, which removes the ability of judges to grant bond releases.
Despite the serious nature of the accusation, Hirman believes that if Chavez is convicted of petty theft, it would likely not disqualify him from DACA. The case is still ongoing, and he insists that “stealing baby food” typically wouldn’t result in severe legal repercussions. Often, cases like these lead to community service or restitution instead of detention.
Hirman has filed a motion to end the deportation case, citing Chavez’s valid DACA status. The next hearing is planned for February 17. Meanwhile, Chavez’s young daughters continue to ask about their father, and their family has told them he is just at work.
His mother, emotional about the situation, reflected on her difficult choice to bring her family to the U.S. in search of a better life. “I want to believe I wasn’t mistaken,” she said, voice trembling. As the case unfolds, it highlights the complexities and challenges faced by families navigating immigration issues in today’s climate.
Recent data shows that the number of DACA recipients in the U.S. has declined significantly since 2021, with policies surrounding immigration becoming increasingly stringent. This creates uncertainty not only for individuals like Chavez but also for countless families relying on the program for stability and a chance at a better life.
For more information on the repercussions of immigration policies, you can explore resources from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services here.
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