Family fights to free man with autism after ICE agents detained him in Hendry County

HENDRY COUNTY, Fla. —

Gilberto Garcia Cruz, a 26-year-old with autism, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the front yard of his home, leaving his family worried about his ability to cope in custody.

Garcia Cruz’s mother, who did not want to appear on camera, described the moment her son was taken.

“He was screaming, ‘Mom, mom, I’m getting in trouble,’ and then I ran to him without being able to grab anything to defend him,” she said in Spanish. “And when I see a masked man who was twisting him by the neck, I told him, ‘What’s going on?’ And he tells me, it’s ICE, ‘Immigration has me here.’”

Garcia Cruz’s mother said her son has relied on her since birth due to developmental challenges. She explained that his teachers noticed he struggled in the classroom and did not exhibit the same capabilities as other students.

At 26 years old, Garcia Cruz still needs assistance with daily tasks, and his mother remains by his side to help him navigate life.

“He is not self-dependent. When he first started working, I used to help him pick fruit. I have to tell him how to pick the fruit and take it down because he can’t do it by himself,” she said.

ICE agents pinned Garcia Cruz down yesterday afternoon and took him into custody. His family now fears for his safety, worried that he will struggle to fend for himself in jail.

“Sometimes he has trouble pronouncing words in English, and when it comes to Spanish, he also has trouble understanding how to communicate,” his mother said.

According to his family, Garcia Cruz is part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which protects undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. They said he is currently in the renewal process.

Garcia Cruz is scheduled to appear in court on Friday. His family is asking the community to rally behind autism awareness, particularly in cases involving ICE detainees.

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