Hillsboro man released from ICE custody after alleged mistaken detainment

HILLSBORO, Ore. (KPTV) - A Hillsboro man was released from an ICE detention facility Friday after his family said he was mistakenly detained nearly a month ago, prompting calls from multiple elected officials and activists for his release.

Victor Cruz was released from the Tacoma ICE facility but remains under federal supervision. The Department of Homeland Security has not returned his driver’s license or work permit, and he must wear an ankle monitor for an unknown period of time. Cruz said he has no criminal history and was mistakenly detained.

On Oct. 14, ICE agents detained Cruz, saying they were looking for “a Victor Cruz.” When Cruz tried to explain he was legally allowed to work in the United States, his documents were confiscated.

“I told them I have a permit to work. He said show me. I pulled it from my wallet and they told me ‘This is nothing. You are not allowed to be here. This does not protect you from us,” Cruz said.

Cruz was taken to the ICE facility in Portland, where he said it became clear agents had arrested the wrong person. However, that did not help his case.

“They fingerprinted me. Then they were looking at a photo of another guy when an agent talked to a lady in charge, he was telling her that is not him, I am not him, I have a clean record, he asked what do you want to do, let him go or take him to Tacoma? And the lady said well he’s detained, do whatever you want,” Cruz said.

After five hours in Portland, Cruz was transported to Tacoma, where he said conditions were inhumane.

“That’s where the nightmare begins. That place was a freezer. They stripped us then gave us other uniforms, we were crammed in there. There were 80 people in a cell,” Cruz said.

Cruz said there were points where he thought he would be deported. His daughter was able to get a lawyer to obtain a temporary restraining order to keep her father in the country. After weeks of fighting, they were able to get him released.

“We never thought we were going to see him again, so we just sobbed,” said Atziri Cruz, his daughter.

Even out of ICE custody, Victor Cruz’s legal battle is not over.

“They are still actively trying to deport him. We are fighting because we want our father here,” Atziri Cruz said.

Cruz has an ICE hearing scheduled for Thursday, but the family does not know what to expect at that meeting. ICE has not responded to requests for comment on Cruz’s detention.