The life of Gerardo Reyes took a dramatic turn on March 14. During a traffic stop in San Marcos, Texas, local police arrested him along with his minor son. Although the initial charges against him were dismissed shortly after, Reyes did not return home. Instead, he was transferred directly to custody of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He has remained there for nearly 2 months facing threat of deportation.
Today, the story of this 45-year-old father has become a reflection of growing tensions between immigrant communities and local authorities in Texas. His case has mobilized his family, activists, and local leaders. They are demanding his release and questioning the legality of the initial arrest that triggered his immigration proceedings.
From a detention center in Texas, Reyes faces not only legal uncertainty but also difficult detention conditions. According to what he recounted in a video call mentioned in the source material, the cold in the facilities is extreme, rain enters through the windows, and he has been denied adequate medical attention for severe tooth pain. However, his greatest concern is not inside the center. Rather, it is outside, where his family faces the weight of his absence.
How Did Gerardo Reyes’ Arrest Happen?
The incident that led to the detention began as a routine family trip. Reyes accompanied his son Esteban to drop off some belongings at the young man’s girlfriend’s home. When they were returning home, a local police officer stopped the vehicle. He ordered them to get out without explaining the initial reason, according to testimonies and a video shared by the family themselves.
The minor, who was behind the wheel, refused to exit the vehicle and demanded to know the reason for the stop. At that moment, Reyes placed an arm across his son’s chest to protect him and insisted that he was a minor. That action caused authorities to accuse him of interfering with a police detention, although it was later proven that the original report against them was false and the charge was formally dismissed.
Despite the fact that the local court system dismissed the accusations, police had already notified immigration authorities. As a result, Reyes was turned over to ICE. For his wife, Sanjuana Escalante, a U.S. citizen, the entire process was unjust. “Everything was based on a false report,” she stated, pointing out that the police intervention should never have ended in a prolonged immigration detention.
What Impact Does His Detention Have on the Family?
Reyes’ prolonged absence has left his home in an extremely fragile situation. He is not only the father of 8 children and stepchildren, but also the primary caregiver for his wife. She became disabled after suffering a serious car accident. Before his arrest, Reyes maintained 2 jobs simultaneously to cover all household expenses. Additionally, he worked repairing beauty salons during the day and as a cook at night.
Without his income, the family faces the real possibility of losing their home. Currently, the only stable financial support is the disability check from social security that Escalante receives. This barely exceeds 1,000 dollars monthly. Guadalupe Sarinana, one of Reyes’ stepdaughters, confessed that everyone in the house is taking on extra hours of work to try to cover payments. However, the financial burden is exhausting them rapidly.
The case has not passed
