Lisandro Pantaleón Pacheco, a 22-year-old poised to graduate in just two days, was apprehended by ICE agents on Tuesday, April 29, on State Route 224 in Park City, Utah, while en route to his first day at a new job.
The arrest took place around 5:30 a.m., amid ICE operations in Park City and Heber.
Pantaleón, a first-generation student at the University of Utah, was pursuing a bachelor's degree in parks, recreation, and tourism from the College of Health, with his graduation ceremony scheduled for Friday, May 1.
His girlfriend, Britney Xiques, discovered his detention after tracking his phone’s location when he failed to respond to her morning message.
His mother, Fidela Pacheco, had brought him from Mexico to the United States without legal documentation when he was merely a year old.
"It's not fair that they detained him," Pacheco declared publicly, expressing her anger over her son's arrest.
Legal Challenges and Immigration Status
His attorney, Adam Crayk, confirmed the arrest, noting that Pantaleón has no criminal record, only a traffic violation. Crayk mentioned that Pantaleón had applied for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, but his application was stalled due to the backlog of pending requests, leaving him without immigration protection.
Regarding his illegal entry into the country, the lawyer was clear: "He didn't have that choice," referring to Pantaleón being an infant when he crossed the border.
Crayk also questioned whether the arrest was a result of racial profiling and highlighted that ICE now requires approval from Washington D.C. to grant bonds or recognizances, complicating the student's release significantly.
Community Support and Personal Impact
The legal team filed a habeas corpus petition to try to get him out of the Evanston County Jail in Wyoming, where he is held under a temporary three-day contract with ICE.
The Park City community rallied with a surge of support: a fundraising campaign titled "Bring Lisandro Home for His Graduation" raised over $28,000 towards a $30,000 goal to cover legal expenses.
The case also carries a deeply personal dimension: Pantaleón had planned to propose to his girlfriend Britney Xiques immediately after the graduation ceremony.
Broader Implications of ICE Actions
Pantaleón's arrest is part of a documented pattern of detaining young immigrants without criminal backgrounds during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, affecting students in multiple states, including Massachusetts, Georgia, New York, and Connecticut.
Similar incidents have occurred with healthcare professionals: ICE detained a Venezuelan doctor in Texas with a valid work permit, and days later arrested a Venezuelan doctor and her daughter at an airport in the same state.
Fear among immigrants regarding ICE visits to businesses and public spaces has spread across the nation since the second Trump administration ramped up operations starting January 2025.
The habeas corpus petition filed by Pantaleón's defense is pending resolution, and his family awaits a decision that will determine if he can regain freedom before his diploma is awarded in his absence.
Understanding ICE Arrests and Immigration Issues
What led to Lisandro Pantaleón's arrest by ICE?
Lisandro Pantaleón was detained by ICE agents during operations in Utah, despite having no criminal record, due to his unresolved immigration status.
How has the community responded to Pantaleón’s arrest?
The community rallied in support, launching a fundraising campaign that successfully raised funds to assist with legal fees.
What are the legal implications of Pantaleón’s immigration status?
Pantaleón's DACA application was delayed, leaving him without protection, and the complexity of ICE's bond approval process makes securing his release more difficult.