Immigrant in Minneapolis Hides From ICE, Loses Contact With Detained Son

A Guatemalan immigrant describes the fear and uncertainty of hiding from federal agents and the heartbreak of his son's detention and deportation.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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A Guatemalan immigrant living in Minneapolis has been in hiding for nearly two months, afraid to leave his home due to the increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the area. He describes the difficult decision to come to the U.S. to support his family back home, and the devastating experience of his 36-year-old special needs son being detained by ICE and deported to Guatemala without his knowledge of his son's whereabouts for weeks.

Why it matters

This story highlights the human toll of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement policies, which have led to widespread fear and disruption in immigrant communities. It also underscores the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants who are forced to live in the shadows, unable to access basic services or seek help when family members are detained.

The details

The man, who is from Guatemala, has lived in Minneapolis for seven years and was previously able to work and live freely. However, after ICE raids intensified, he has been confined to his home, afraid to go out. On January 6th, his 36-year-old special needs son left for work but never returned. The father later saw a video of his son in detention, chained by his feet. For weeks, he was given conflicting information about his son's location and deportation plans, unable to speak to him directly. The father has been relying on community support to get food and medicine, as he is unable to work or leave his home due to the fear of ICE.

  • On January 6th, the man's son left for work but never returned.
  • On January 19th, the father was told his son would be put on a plane to Guatemala.
  • On January 20th, the father was told his son would be released the next day, but that did not happen.
  • As of February 4th, the father's son had arrived in Guatemala after 20 days of waiting.

The players

The Guatemalan Immigrant

A 36-year-old Guatemalan immigrant living in Minneapolis who has been in hiding for nearly two months due to fear of ICE raids. He has a special needs son who was detained by ICE and deported to Guatemala.

The Guatemalan Immigrant's Son

A 36-year-old special needs man from Guatemala who was detained by ICE while working in Minneapolis and deported to Guatemala without his father's knowledge of his location for weeks.

Jill Filipovic

A journalist who prepared the original story about the Guatemalan immigrant's experience hiding from ICE and losing contact with his detained son.

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What they’re saying

“Not knowing where your family is, that is the hardest thing. Especially now, with the way they are treating us. They are not treating us like people. They are treating us worse than how people in Guatemala treat animals when they go hunting. They grab you by the throat. They throw you to the ground. They put their knees on your neck. That's how they are treating us. Like animals.”

— The Guatemalan Immigrant (Slate)

“If I could say something to ICE or to President Donald Trump, I would say this: God is the owner of all of this. Not you. God Almighty is the only owner. One day He will come. And I hope they regret everything they are doing right now. Only God is responsible for justice.”

— The Guatemalan Immigrant (Slate)

What’s next

The father is continuing to seek information and assistance from the Guatemalan Consulate and other organizations to locate his son and ensure his safe return.

The takeaway

This heartbreaking story illustrates the devastating human impact of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement policies, which have sown fear and disruption in immigrant communities and torn families apart. It underscores the urgent need for compassionate, humane immigration reform that respects the dignity and rights of all people.