Hillsboro Man Detained by ICE Despite Valid Work Permit

Victor Cruz, a Hillsboro grandfather who has lived in the U.S. for nearly 30 years, was detained by ICE on Oct. 14 despite holding Deferred Action/Temporary Protected Status, a valid work permit through 2029 and a pending U visa. Family, friends and community members say Cruz has no criminal record and that agents mistakenly targeted him for another man with the same name, allegedly disregarded his documentation and told him "work permits don't matter anymore." A judge reportedly said she would have granted a $3,000 bond if she had jurisdiction, but no bond was given; Cruz remains in ICE custody in Tacoma amid concerns about his medical needs, including a pacemaker and a fractured foot, and advocates say he does not appear on ICE’s detainee locator as required. Oregon lawmakers — Reps. Suzanne Bonamici and Maxine Dexter and Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley — have demanded his immediate release and criticized ICE’s lack of response, and advocates point to recent congressional pressure that secured the release of another detained Oregon resident, Jackie Merlos, as they continue to press for Cruz's freedom and transparency from ICE.