Immigration reform supporters criticized federal officials for Thursday’s detention of the brother of a prominent local activist, but authorities say he faces deportation for a drunken driving conviction.
The Pacific Institute for Community Organization, or PICO National Network, said Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents “raided” the home of Luis Bravo and took him away in handcuffs, “leaving his siblings and his parents in tears,” according to a news release from the group.
Bravo is the older brother of Jessica Bravo, who has taken a prominent role locally in agitating for laws making it easier for undocumented immigrants who came here illegally to remain in the U.S. while they work toward citizenship.
The organization said she confronted Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach) on the issue last year.
Calling themselves “DREAMer” activists — a reference to the proposed federal legislation that has stalled in Congress that would allow citizenship for some people brought into the country illegally when they were children — the Bravos say they have lived “peacefully” in Orange County for 17 years.
“This is beyond devastating news for our family,” Jessica Bravo said in a statement. “My brother means the world to me, and the fact that ICE wants to deport him is no only heartbreaking, it’s infuriating. What ICE has failed to realize is that my family and the broader immigration movement behind me will not stand down in the face of adversity. We will only get stronger. We’re going to fight my brother’s case tooth and nail until he gets the relief he deserves.”
The organization believes Luis Bravo would be covered under an executive action President Barack Obama has said he was considering issuing that would allow some residents in the country illegally a chance to remain here. The president recently said he would delay any action on the executive order until after the November elections.
ICE officials say Bravo was taken into custody by the Orange County- based Fugitive Operations Team based on a lead provided by the agency’s Fugitive Operations Support Center, according to ICE spokeswoman Virginia Kice.
“He was targeted for arrest due to his prior conviction for driving under the influence, which makes him a potential public safety threat,” according to a statement from ICE.
Bravo was convicted in May of last year in a plea deal and was placed on three years of informal probation, according to ICE.
“After conducting a further review of the case, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operrations officers processed Mr. Brave and placed him in immigration removal proceedings,” according to ICE’s statement. “He was subsequently released on his own recognizance pending a decision by the immigration court. It will be up to the immigration court to determine whether Mr. Bravo has a legal basis to remain in the U.S.”