“We’re supporting the students as best as possible, and ensuring the students’ education isn’t being interrupted,” said Shawn Arnold, superintendent of the Juneau School District.
Federal immigration authorities have detained a 42-year-old Juneau resident who has children enrolled in local schools, marking a continuation of immigration enforcement actions across the region. Cruz Vargas-Enriques was taken into custody on Oct. 28, according to records from the Alaska Department of Corrections. He was subsequently transferred out of the state on Nov. 7.
The detention makes Vargas-Enriques at least the seventh Juneau resident to be taken into custody by federal immigration officials since the beginning of the year. State corrections data shows he was one of 18 individuals held at facilities in Alaska on behalf of the federal government during October. All 18 people have since been moved out of the Alaska correctional system.
School district officials have acknowledged the situation regarding Vargas-Enriques and his children. Arnold said that administrators are supporting the students as best as possible and ensuring the students’ education isn’t being interrupted.
Court Records Show Vargas-Enriques' Most Recent Charge Was in 2017
It’s not clear what led federal officials to detain Vargas-Enriques in Anchorage. According to the Alaska Court System’s database, his most recent criminal charge was in 2017.
KTOO is interested in speaking to people who’ve been impacted by immigration enforcement in Juneau. If you or someone you know would like to talk, please email [email protected].
Statewide Custody Transfers
The transfer of Vargas-Enriques and other detainees out of local facilities aligns with the transfer of people held by the Alaska Department of Corrections on behalf of the federal government.
As federal agencies continue their work, local institutions like the Juneau School District maintain that their primary focus remains on supporting students while wider situations advance.
