Torrance officials Saturday expressed concern about federal immigration officials taking a 9-year-old Torrance Elementary School student into custody when he and his father attended an immigration hearing.
Fourth-grader Matir Garcia Lara and his 50-year-old father, Matir Garcia-Banegas, were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on May 29 when they attended an immigration hearing in downtown Los Angeles, city officials said, adding that the pair were separated and sent to Texas to await deportation to Honduras.
“As a community, we are deeply concerned when any child in our city faces uncertainty and fear,” Torrance Mayor George Chen said. “Every child deserves to feel safe and supported, and we are committed to working within our authority to ensure our community remains a place where all families can thrive knowing that immigration enforcement is a federal matter.”
Torrance staff has reached out to the offices of Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Los Angeles, and Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles, “to ensure that the family is receiving the necessary support,” according to a statement issued by the city Saturday. “Both congressional offices are actively working with the family to better understand the situation and to advocate for their well-being.
“The city encourages any residents with concerns about this matter to contact their federal representatives.”