Latino Entered the U.S. Legally but Stayed Beyond Visa Limit: ICE Detained Him on His Way to Work

• Colombian detained after remaining 7 years past visa expiration.
• Immigrant arrested for exceeding visa stay.
• Identified as Jheisson Alcides Bustos-Martinez.

A detention on the way to work.

Jheisson Alcides Bustos-Martinez, a Colombian immigrant with no criminal record, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while heading to work with his stepfather in Rialto, California.

The arrest took place on June 13 at around 6:45 a.m., according to Juan Cervantes, pastor of Sierra Vista Baptist Church.

He described the operation as an incident that instilled fear in the local Hispanic community.

Colombian Detained for Remaining 7 Years After Visa Expired

Bustos-Martinez had legally entered the United States on November 15, 2017.

He entered with a B2 tourist visa that allowed him to stay for six months.

However, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), he overstayed the authorized period by more than seven years.

This was reported by La Prensa Gráfica.

Impact on the Community and Family’s Response

Pastor Cervantes stated that the arrest created an atmosphere of fear in his congregation and in other churches in the area, some of which canceled services out of concern over possible raids.

“His arrest not only terrified his family and our church, but the entire Hispanic community,” he said.

After the arrest, Jheisson Alcides Bustos-Martinez’s family lost contact with him for nearly two weeks.

His wife and two young children hope he can obtain a bond hearing, though they fear he may be held in custody to pressure him into accepting voluntary departure.

The community has sought help from California Democratic lawmakers, including Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff and Congressman Pete Aguilar, to intervene in the case.

Possibility of Voluntary Departure

Tricia McLaughlin, Deputy Secretary of DHS, explained that undocumented immigrants can choose voluntary departure through the CBP Home app, with benefits such as a $1,000 payment, a free flight, and the elimination of overstay penalties.

However, she warned that those who do not accept this option “will be arrested and deported with no possibility of return.”

The U.S. government, under President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, emphasized that their goal is to “restore the integrity of the visa program” and prevent it from being used as a “one-way permanent ticket” to reside unlawfully in the country.

The case of Bustos-Martinez adds to a series of recent incidents that have brought ICE practices into the spotlight, particularly the consequences for immigrants who, despite having entered legally, remain in the country beyond their authorized stay.

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