Immigration enforcement practices are once again under scrutiny after the Los Angeles Times published an article detailing the case of 18-year-old Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz. Guerrero-Cruz was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Los Angeles and transferred out of state without his family’s knowledge. The article underscores the confusion, fear, and legal challenges families face when loved ones are abruptly moved between detention facilities.
Among the attorneys consulted for the piece was Houston immigration lawyer Susham M. Modi, founder of The Modi Law Firm, PLLC, who provided critical insight into the systemic problems families encounter when detainees are transferred.
A Case That Captured National Attention
According to the report, Guerrero-Cruz was walking his dog in Van Nuys when ICE agents detained him just days before the start of his senior year of high school. Within weeks, his family learned he had been moved first to Arizona, then scheduled for Louisiana, and later returned to Adelanto Detention Facility in California — all without any formal notification.
Congresswoman Luz Rivas, who represents the area, described ICE’s handling of the case as “chaotic and inconsistent,” highlighting the emotional toll on Guerrero-Cruz’s family. She has since introduced a bill requiring ICE to notify immediate family members of transfers within 24 hours.
Attorney Susham Modi’s Contribution to the Conversation
Attorney Susham Modi offered his professional perspective on how ICE transfer practices affect detainees and their families. He noted that, while the Department of Homeland Security asserts families can track loved ones through ICE’s Online Detainee Locator, the reality is far more complex:
- Delays in Notification. Immigration courts often receive transfer notices long after the move has already taken place, leaving both families and attorneys in the dark.
- Barriers to Communication. Detainees frequently cannot make outgoing calls until funds are deposited into their commissary accounts. If families are unaware of a transfer, they cannot provide the resources needed for communication.
- Obstacles to Legal Representation. Remote transfers often place detainees in rural facilities, far from qualified immigration counsel. Modi cautioned that this weakens a person’s ability to prepare their case, since in-person meetings with attorneys and witnesses may not be feasible.
“These kinds of transfers,” Modi explained, “create further obstacles, like finding a qualified attorney nearby to visit the detainee in person, to sign forms, or to prepare for trial. It places unnecessary hurdles on a process that is already difficult for families to navigate.”
The Modi Law Firm, PLLC’s Role in Cases Like These
At The Modi Law Firm, PLLC, attorney Susham Modi and his team represent individuals and families navigating the complexities of U.S. immigration law. Our firm routinely handles matters involving detention, removal defense, asylum, family-based immigration, and humanitarian relief.
Attorney Modi’s experience spans over a decade and includes serving as a Clinical Supervising Attorney at the Immigration Clinic at the University of Houston Law Center. His deep involvement in both policy and direct client representation makes him a sought-after commentator in national media outlets like the Los Angeles Times.
In practice, the firm assists families in:
- Locating detained relatives when ICE transfers are unclear.
- Filing motions to challenge unfair or obstructive transfer decisions.
- Securing representation even when clients are held in remote or out-of-state facilities.
- Pursuing relief such as asylum, cancellation of removal, or adjustment of status.
A System Demanding Accountability
The Los Angeles Times article highlights not only the personal devastation of one Los Angeles family but also a pattern of systemic issues that affect thousands of immigrant families nationwide.
For families facing similar situations, the stakes are high — but legal support is available. The Modi Law Firm, PLLC continues to represent clients across Houston, standing with families as they navigate detention, removal, and the broader immigration process.
Read the full Los Angeles Times article here: L.A. teen nabbed on street by ICE, transferred out of state without parents’ knowledge.