Fort Myers food truck worker deported, family speaks out

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—A food truck worker was detained by immigration officers Thursday morning in a Fort Myers parking lot and is being deported.

Leonel Chivalan was working at his brother's food truck, Sabor de mi Rancho, when an immigration officer approached him and asked if he was born in the United States and requested identification. Security cameras at the food truck recorded the initial confrontation between Leonel and the immigration officer.

Juan Chivalan, who owns and operates the food truck, said his younger brother called him Friday morning with news about his deportation.

"He called me this morning and said that they told him that he doesn't have the right to an attorney," Juan said in Spanish. "They are going to deport him."

Leonel is expected to leave the U.S. Friday and arrive back in Guatemala late Friday or Saturday morning. While their parents are still in Guatemala, Juan fears for his brother's safety.

"I was afraid that they would hurt him, but everything was a little calm," Juan said in Spanish. "He injured his foot because of an assault that we had about four years ago."

Juan said he has a work visa to own and operate the food truck in Florida. Leonel did not have a work visa, but Juan said he doesn't understand why immigration officers approached his brother. According to his brother, Leonel was never arrested or received a traffic violation in the U.S.

Juan said working in the U.S. provides safety that is not available in Guatemala.

"We feel that working here is a big protection for us because of the safety," Juan said in Spanish. "Back in our country we do business, and then there are the ones who steal, the ones who take your money. That's why we're afraid to do business back in our country. Here, it feels like there's more security."

Sabor de mi Rancho will remain closed through the weekend. Juan said customers have been nervous about the increase in immigration officers across Fort Myers.

"I just know that a lot of federal agents have been out in the streets grabbing us, and whoever they see that looks Latino, they take them," Juan said in Spanish. "I don't know what to say about this."

Juan said when he spoke to his brother Friday morning, Leonel was not given a specific reason for why immigration officers approached him. Leonel only said he was not able to speak to an attorney and was told to sign the deportation papers.