A 25-year-old Guatemalan man, Daniel Orellana, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Monday at a gas station in Framingham, Massachusetts. With no prior criminal record, he was stopped while on his way to work around 6 a.m. His family argues that his detention is unjust, with his father, Arquimedes Orellana, emphasizing, “It’s not fair that he’s going through this and being treated like a criminal.”
According to Arquimedes, ICE approached Daniel and asked if he was someone else, to which he replied he wasn’t and was only heading to work. The agents then took his phone when he attempted to answer a call from his boss. Enrique Martinez, a gas station worker, corroborated the incident, noting that the arrest occurred inside the gas station.
After a frantic search for Daniel’s whereabouts, his family was informed he was in ICE custody. Zulema Alfaro, his girlfriend, communicates regularly with him and reported that Daniel described the situation as a misunderstanding, with agents stating they would take him regardless. The Orellanas fled violence in Guatemala three years ago, with Daniel nearing graduation for his law degree when he emigrated to the U.S. for safety.
Arquimedes expressed support for government efforts to improve the nation but criticized the detention of innocent individuals contributing positively to society. The family is currently seeking legal assistance and hopes for a swift resolution, as Daniel remains detained in an immigration facility in Plymouth. Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra has reached out to ICE for further information about the arrest but has not yet received a response.
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