Valley Father’s ICE Detention Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice

In the early hours of June 4, 48-year-old Joel Gutierrez was driving his coworker to a renovation site in Phoenix when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers halted their work van.

Agents removed both men from the vehicle and arrested them. As they searched, ICE agents scattered personal belongings across the van.

Gutierrez is currently detained at the Central Arizona Florence Detention Center, while his coworker faces similar circumstances. Both men are undocumented immigrants.

On June 8, around 100 people gathered at University Park near downtown Phoenix to demand Gutierrez’s release and protest against the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies.

“My dad is honestly the best person there is,” lamented Gutierrez’s 19-year-old daughter, Denise, addressing the crowd. “He truly does not deserve to be where he is right now.”

Gutierrez’s arrest coincides with a broader campaign by the Trump administration aimed at increasing deportation numbers, primarily targeting law-abiding immigrants. This surge has led to numerous workplace raids and additional scrutiny of individuals seeking asylum or immigration relief.

During his campaign, President Trump vowed to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, envisioning “the largest domestic deportation operation in American history.”

The administration’s deportation initiatives have intensified, launching a new strategy to prioritize deporting “the worst first.”

Since January, ICE has detained over 26,000 people nationwide, with nearly 1,000 arrests reportedly in Phoenix.

On June 7, ICE conducted a raid at a Home Depot in Paramount, California, provoking intense protests over the weekend. In response, Trump deployed additional troops to the city, indicating escalating enforcement measures.

Denise noted her father’s suspicion of being profiled due to their work van. He recalled seeing ICE officers following moments before they stopped him.

“They assumed there’s probably someone in there who doesn’t have legal status,” she explained, emphasizing the unjust nature of the stop.

Gutierrez, who has made multiple attempts to gain citizenship, arrived in the U.S. from Mexico in 2000 with Denise’s mother. They settled in Mesa and started a family.

The couple has four children; two were born in the U.S., making them citizens, while two immigrated from Mexico. Their youngest, a nine-year-old boy, shares a close bond with their father.

“This is a situation we never thought we would have to live in,” Denise stated, reflecting on the impact of her father’s detention.

The crowd marched from the park to the Arizona Capitol, with police monitoring the protest closely. Rally participants voiced their frustrations over the ongoing immigration crackdown.

“I feel sick and tired of seeing my people taken away for no reason,” said Marilyn Ramos, 24. “If they’re really criminals, why are they targeting workers?”

As ICE raids continue to spread in cities like Miami and Chicago, community advocates worry that Phoenix may be next.

Local organizations recently warned of planned ICE operations throughout the week, urging immigrant communities to remain vigilant.

“Community organizations have received credible information that ICE may be conducting mass workplace raids,” stated Puente Arizona.

In January, Trump signed an executive order expanding expedited removal processes that could fast-track deportations without due process protections.

In late May, ICE apprehended over a dozen individuals outside a Phoenix immigration court as part of their crackdown.

Denise reported that Joel is enduring overcrowding and inadequate treatment in detention.

“They’re moving my dad to a different part of the facility because of how crowded it is,” she shared. “It’s really terrible.”

Public data regarding the Florence facility’s capacity and population is unavailable, and inquiries to the Department of Homeland Security have gone unanswered.

The June 8 event featured various speakers personalizing their immigration experiences and expressing concerns about ICE targeting Phoenix.

“This system is barbaric,” declared Dania Duran, an organizer. “Both parties have demonized immigrants as a tool of fear.”

A GoFundMe for the Gutierrez family has raised over $5,000 to cover legal and household expenses as they navigate this crisis.

“This isn’t just happening to our family. It’s occurring across the country,” Denise emphasized.

Local advocacy groups advised individuals to avoid known areas of potential raids and learn about their legal rights.

“If at risk, stay away from confirmed raid locations,” urged Casey Clowes of Progress Arizona.