High School Student Detained by ICE Could Miss Graduation in Texas

ICE detains Texas student

Family seeks urgent release

Graduation may be missed

Democratic Congressman Greg Casar called for the immediate release of Luis Fernando Cabrera, an 18-year-old Austin ISD student detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a traffic stop just days before his high school graduation.

The young man’s family and legal team are fighting to ensure he can attend the ceremony scheduled for June 2.

What should have been a family celebration has instead become a moment of uncertainty for the student and his loved ones.

Luis Fernando already had his graduation gown, cap, and class ring prepared.

While his classmates continue preparing for the ceremony, he remains detained at an immigration facility.

During a press conference Monday, Greg Casar argued that the teenager should not be in immigration custody.

“Luis is the kind of son we all want. The kind of student we want in this country. He should be preparing to graduate,” the congressman said.

Casar stated that the detention generated outrage among relatives, friends, and members of the community.

People close to the student described him as hardworking, athletic, and focused on his academic future.

Family seeks immediate release before graduation

According to Univision, attorney Jim Harrington announced that the defense filed a habeas corpus petition last Friday.

The legal team is requesting the immediate release of the Texas student detained by ICE before the graduation ceremony.

The family hopes to receive a decision before June 2.

That is the day the teenager is supposed to officially receive his high school diploma.

During the press conference, additional details about the student’s daily routine were also shared.

According to relatives and friends, Luis Fernando worked more than 40 hours per week.

He also trained in soccer early in the morning before attending classes.

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After school, he returned to work again during the evenings.

His sister previously told N+ Univision 62 that the detention was unexpected and devastating for the entire family.

“‘I’m going to call Immigration because you’re illegal,’ they told him,” she explained. “My brother said he started crying and didn’t know what to do.”

She also recalled how excited Luis Fernando had been about graduating.

According to her, the milestone represented an important moment for the entire family.

“My brother was so excited about it,” she said.

Greg Casar criticizes immigration detention

During the press conference, Greg Casar criticized immigration policies promoted by President Donald Trump.

The congressman argued that the student’s detention is unjust.

“Luis should be here with us (…) preparing to graduate in a few days. Instead, he’s in a detention center simply because he was stopped on his way to school,” Casar stated.

Casar insisted that the Texas student detained by ICE does not represent any threat.

Relatives, friends, and activists also publicly defended the teenager.

Those close to him said they never imagined seeing him detained just days before achieving one of the most important goals of his life.

While they await a judicial decision, the family remains hopeful that he can return home before graduation day.

They also hope Luis Fernando will still be able to wear the graduation gown he had practiced wearing in front of the mirror while imagining the moment he would receive his diploma.

Community closely follows the case

The case has generated attention throughout the Austin community and among organizations supporting the family.

The situation unfolds amid a broader national debate over immigration policies and ICE detentions.

For now, the legal team’s top priority is securing the student’s release before June 2.

The family continues hoping for a favorable response as graduation day approaches.