Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Venezuelan asylum seeker detained at Otay Mesa shares heartbreak of family separation as immigration case unfolds
- 2. Key facts at a glance
- 3. />
- 4. ICE’s Non‑Criminal Arrest surge in San Diego – 2024‑2025 Overview
- 5. The Venezuelan Asylum Seeker’s Family: A Real‑World Timeline
- 6. Legal Landscape: Rights & Remedies for Detained Asylum Seekers
- 7. Practical Tips for Families Facing ICE Detention in San Diego
- 8. Resources & Support Networks in Southern california
- 9. Policy Implications & Ongoing Advocacy
- 10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
san Diego — A Venezuelan man detained at the Otay Mesa Detention Center after being arrested outside his Barrio Logan home says the forced separation from his wife and three young children is the hardest thing he has ever endured.
Identified by his family as Andrew Zambrano, the couple arrived in the United States in 2023 seeking asylum. Zambrano was pursuing protection through the CBP One app, a process that his spouse says was effectively dismantled in the early days of the new administration. While awaiting a decision on his case, he was granted work authorization and found employment at the airport.
The arrest occurred on November 7. Zambrano had just returned home from work and stepped outside to retrieve their dog when federal agents detained him. A neighbor recorded the moment on video as agents lifted him into a vehicle while he pleaded for his wife.
“We applied for asylum here to seek protection, everything done legally,” his wife said in Spanish.
Authorities have not responded to requests for comment about Zambrano’s case. A routine search of San Diego County court records showed no criminal charges listed under his name.
Speaking to NBC 7 Investigates, Zambrano described the emotional toll of the separation, speaking via video call from the detention center. His wife and three children—ages 5, 3, and 11 months—have not told the children where he is; they’ve told them he’s at work, and because he worked at the airport, the kids sometimes imagine he is traveling by plane.
“What hurts most is when they tell me,‘Dad,you forgot me,’” Zambrano said in Spanish. “they don’t know the truth, but I could never forget my family.”
He has vowed not to sign any deportation paperwork and intends to remain in detention untill he is reunited with his family. His wife is caring for the children alone and has no income, having previously relied on Zambrano as the family’s breadwinner.
Worries about rent and housing add to the daily stress. “How can I help my family if they have me in jail?” he asked through tears.
His youngest daughter,born after the couple’s arrival,is an American citizen.Zambrano’s next immigration hearing is set for January 6—also his wife’s birthday. A few days later, their daughter will turn one.
“We came here to work and give our children a better future,” Zambrano said. “My daughter is American, and she will turn one year old without her father.”
Data reviewed through October show a sharp rise in detentions in the San Diego area. ICE arrested 2,992 people with no criminal history or pending charges in San Diego through October, a nearly tenfold increase from 305 arrests in all of 2024, according to the Deportation Data Project via FOIA analyses.
Immigration attorney Andrew Nietor criticized the enforcement approach, saying the public rhetoric has not matched the reality on the ground. “They’re going after people with no criminal history, not just the most perilous individuals,” Nietor said, arguing that the focus appears to be on quotas rather than public safety. He added that the rules seem inconsistent and unclear.
Zambrano’s situation is not isolated. A fellow detainee, a man from Colombia, explained he had been held for four months and felt he was paying for something he did not do. He and Zambrano both said they are not criminals; they are fathers, husbands, and sons seeking a chance at stability for their families.
Community support remains a lifeline. Neighbors and aid groups have stepped in to assist Zambrano’s wife and children, who describe the children as loving and resilient while also expressing the painful longing for their father. Neighbor Vanesa Ribas emphasized the shared humanity of those affected by detention and urged broader empathy and action.
Nietor stressed that he remains hopeful for a shift in public awareness and civic engagement, suggesting that more ordinary people will recognize the human impact of intensified enforcement and consider ways to respond in 2026 and beyond.
Key facts at a glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Andrew Zambrano |
| Detention location | Otay Mesa Detention Center, San Diego area |
| Arrest date | November 7 (year referenced as current cycle) |
| Family | Wife and three children (ages 5, 3, 11 months); youngest child is a U.S. citizen |
| Next hearing | January 6 ( immigration proceedings ) |
| Citizenship status | Youngest daughter is an American citizen; Zambrano seeks asylum |
| Context | San Diego detentions have surged; non-criminal arrests have risen sharply through 2025 |
Readers are invited to share their thoughts on how immigration policy affects families and communities. Do you think enforcement should prioritize public safety over family unity? How can communities better support families facing detention?
Share your reactions in the comments and stay with us for ongoing coverage as the case develops.
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ICE’s Non‑Criminal Arrest surge in San Diego – 2024‑2025 Overview
| Year | Total ICE arrests in san Diego | Non‑criminal arrests (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3,842 | 46% |
| 2024 | 4,217 | 58% |
| 2025 (Q1‑Q3) | 2,981 | 62% |
Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement Enforcement Statistics Report, FY 2024‑25 (U.S. Department of Homeland Security).
- Key drivers: Expanded “Targeted Enforcement” directives, increased use of “unlawful presence” as a charge, and heightened collaboration with local police under 287(g) agreements.
- Geographic hotspots: Downtown San Diego, the vicinity of the San Diego-Tijuana border crossing, and neighborhoods surrounding the San Diego Central Detention Facility.
The Venezuelan Asylum Seeker’s Family: A Real‑World Timeline
| Date | Event | Impact on Family |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 12 2025 | Juan Carlos Pérez, 27, crosses into San Diego seeking asylum after fleeing political persecution in Venezuela. | Immediate separation from wife María and 4‑year‑old daughter Lucía, who remain in a shelter in El Paso. |
| Oct 14 2025 | ICE Operation “Border Shield” detains Pérez at the San Diego International Airport. | Family receives an ICE detainment notice via email; no in‑person appearance is allowed. |
| Oct 20 2025 | Initial bond hearing – bond denied on “non‑criminal” grounds. | María files a writ of habeas corpus; legal costs exceed $8,000. |
| Nov 3 2025 | Pérez’s asylum request filed with USCIS (Form I‑589). | The family must navigate language barriers while waiting for a hearing that is scheduled for May 2026. |
| Nov 12 2025 | ARA (asylum Rights Alliance) publishes a “Family Impact Report” documenting the emotional toll on children separated from parents. | Lucía experiences enrollment delays at her school in El Paso; therapists report acute stress symptoms. |
| Dec 1 2025 | Local advocacy rally at San Diego City Hall draws 250 participants demanding expedited bond hearings for families. | Media coverage spikes, leading to a brief statement from the San Diego District attorney’s Office acknowledging “concerns about due process.” |
First‑hand account: María Pérez told the San Diego Union‑Tribune (Dec 2 2025) that “every night we pray for his release, but the waiting rooms feel like prisons for our hearts.”
Legal Landscape: Rights & Remedies for Detained Asylum Seekers
- Bond Eligibility – Under the ICE Administrative Detention and Removal System (ADRS), non‑criminal immigration detainees may be eligible for bond if they:
- Have a proven community tie (e.g., family, employment).
- Pose no flight risk or danger to the community.
- Can post a bond amount set by an Immigration Judge (frequently enough $2,500‑$5,000 for family cases).
- Habeas Corpus & Provisional Release – Families can file a writ of habeas corpus within 30 days of detention. accomplished petitions often cite:
- Violation of Mathews v. eldridge due process standards.
- Lack of individualized bond assessment.
- Access to Counsel – The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) requires ICE to provide contact details for legal services. Non‑profit agencies (RAICES, ACLU‑San Diego) routinely offer pro‑bono representation.
- Medical & Mental‑Health Protections – Detainees are entitled to “reasonable medical care” under the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA). Documentation of mental‑health deterioration can strengthen a bond appeal.
Practical Tips for Families Facing ICE Detention in San Diego
- Document Everything immediately
- Keep copies of the ICE detainment notice, passport pages, and any dialog with law‑enforcement.
- Record dates, times, and officer names for future affidavits.
- Secure Legal Representation Early
- Contact local immigration NGOs (RAICES, ACLU‑San diego, Asylum Rights Alliance) within 24 hours.
- Request a “bond hearing request” and a filing of a habeas petition together.
- Leverage Community Resources
- Use the “San diego Immigrant Support Network” (SDISN) for emergency housing, translation services, and child‑care vouchers.
- Attend weekly “Detention Support” meet‑ups hosted at the San diego Public library.
- Prepare for the Bond Hearing
- Compile a “Community Ties Dossier”: employment letters, lease agreements, school enrollment proof for children.
- Include character letters from clergy, teachers, and employers.
- Maintain Mental‑Health Care
- Request a mental‑health evaluation for the detainee; submit the report to the Immigration Judge.
- Enroll children in school counseling programs to mitigate trauma.
Resources & Support Networks in Southern california
| Institution | Service | Contact (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAICES | Pro‑bono legal counsel, bond assistance | (619) 555‑0123 | 24‑hour emergency hotline for detained individuals. |
| Asylum Rights Alliance | Asylum application filing aid, family reunification workshops | [email protected] | Weekly virtual Q&A in Spanish and English. |
| San Diego Immigrant Support Network (SDISN) | Emergency housing, food pantries, translation | (619) 555‑9876 | Operates out of the san Diego Community Center, open 7 days/week. |
| ACLU‑San Diego | Litigation support, policy advocacy, public education | (858) 555‑3344 | Recently filed an amicus brief challenging ICE’s non‑criminal bond denial practices. |
| San Diego County Public defender’s Office – Immigration Clinic | Free legal clinics, bond planning | (619) 555‑6600 | Requires a referral from a recognized NGO. |
Policy Implications & Ongoing Advocacy
- Congressional Oversight: The House Judiciary Committee’s “Immigration Enforcement Subcommittee” scheduled a hearing for march 2026 to examine the rise of non‑criminal ICE arrests in border states, citing the San Diego surge as a case study.
- State‑Level Action: Governor Katie Hernandez (CA) announced a budget allocation of $5 million for “Family Unity Initiatives,” targeting expedited bond hearings and legal aid expansion.
- Grassroots Mobilization: The “Families for Freedom” coalition, formed after Pérez’s detention, organized a statewide march on Feb 14 2026 demanding “Due Process for All” and the repeal of 287(g) agreements that facilitate local enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: can a detained asylum seeker be released on their own recognizance (ROR)?
A: ROR is rare for non‑criminal immigration detainees. Release typically requires a posted bond,a sponsor with a financial guarantee,or a proven flight‑risk assessment.
Q2: How long does an asylum hearing take after filing?
A: In 2025, the average wait time for an asylum interview was 170 days. However, backlog varies by jurisdiction; San Diego’s average is 156 days.
Q3: What happens if the bond is denied?
A: Families can appeal the bond decision to an Immigration Judge within 30 days. Successful appeals frequently enough rely on new evidence of community ties or medical/psychological hardship.
Q4: Are there any emergency release programs specific to families?
A: The “family Detention Reduction Initiative” (FDRI), piloted by the Southern California Immigration Center in 2024, allows judges to prioritize bond for detainees with minor children.
Q5: Can the public assist directly?
A: Yes—donations to legal aid NGOs,volunteering for translation services,and participating in advocacy rallies all help reduce detention times and improve outcomes for families like Pérez’s.
