ICE says it arrested an El Paso High student and her family due to immigration status

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), said Michell German, an El Paso High student, was arrested along with her family due to their illegal status in the country.

ABC-7 reported on Friday that U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro was calling ICE to release the family who are currently detained at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, which is located in South Texas and is designed to house families.

DHS and ICE responded to our media request for information on Saturday with the following written statement:

“While conducting targeted enforcement arrests on October 22 in El Paso, Texas, ICE arrested Pablo Jose Guerrero-Pimentel, an illegal alien from Venezuela. Guerrero-Pimentel admitted he was in the U.S. illegally and had no documentation to remain in the U.S. legally. He was arrested along with a 17-year-old female passenger also in the country illegally.

During a separate targeted enforcement on the same date, ICE arrested Dolores Emilia Zarraga-Colina, an illegal alien from Venezuela. Zarraga-Colina admitted she was in the U.S. illegally and had no documentation to remain in the U.S. legally. She was arrested along with an 11-year-old female passenger also in the country illegally.

The family unit entered the U.S. illegally August 12, 2022, and under the Biden Administration they were released into the country. They are in ICE custody, together, at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center pending a hearing before an immigration judge. They will receive due process.

Detention is a choice. We encourage all individuals without lawful status to take control of their departure through the CBP Home app. The United States is offering $3,000 and a free flight to self-deport. We encourage every person here unlawfully to take advantage of this offer and preserve the opportunity to return to the United States lawfully in the future. Otherwise, they may be arrested and removed without the opportunity to return.”

ABC-7 reached out to the attorney representing the family and will speak to us later this afternoon.

You can watch the full story tonight on ABC-7 at 4, 5 and after Monday Night Football.