California man’s undocumented parents were blocked by a black SUV. Then, they were allegedly taken by ICE Agents: ‘My parents are my rock’

Giovanni Solis (@vaniblanco) from California told TikTok about the alleged abduction of his parents by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. His mother and father were in their car when agents allegedly took the couple by force.

“Guys, ICE detained both of my parents. I never thought this would happen to me,” Solis told social media on Thursday last week. His parents, Silvia and Jose, were originally from Guanajuato, Mexico. The family said the couple has been working in the United States for over 28 years. Solis said his parents left for work at 6:00 a.m. and stopped by Don Carlos Meat Market for bread. But on the way, two black SUVs stopped them.

“On their way out, a black SUV blocked their way in front and in the back, making it impossible for them to move. They aggressively demanded my parents to open the doors, and my parents refused,” Solis added. However, despite their refusal, Solis alleged that one of the ICE agents came forward and threatened to break the window if they refused. Solis said his father was frightened by the threat, so he opened the doors. Before his mother could make a call, Solis said the ICE agents took her phone away.

“That morning was the saddest morning of my life. I tried so hard to be strong and not panic. My parents were snatched away from me just like they were some sort of object. It didn’t feel real; it didn’t feel human,” Solis said. ICE agents have been criticized for dubious arrests year-round. In a separate report, ICE agents were accused of detaining people at airports with valid work and travel documents.

An alleged ICE strategy

“My birthday is in four days. My mom is gonna have to tell me ‘Happy Birthday’ over the phone. I don’t know who I will be without my parents now. My parents are my rock,” Solis said, tearfully hoping to get his parents back. He added, “Families shouldn’t be torn apart because of where they come from. We can’t keep living scared forever.”

In a video update, Solis said that his mother was taken to Adelanto Detention Center. However, she has been released, and his family has not received updates on her whereabouts. Solis isn’t the only one with a missing family member allegedly taken by ICE. According to The Guardian, ICE has also been accused of hiding the location of detainees, who are subject to final deportation orders. The report alleged that hiding the location of these detainees potentially makes it difficult for them to exercise their legal options.

In other parts of the country, ICE detention centers have also been caught up in controversy for failing to track ex-detainee deaths. A man from Delaney Hall, New Jersey’s largest detention center, was released by ICE but later died from a seizure-like emergency. A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security defended ICE, arguing that ICE shouldn’t be held responsible for released detainee deaths that happen weeks after release.

His first birthday without his mother

Regardless, the Solis Hernandez family intends to put up a fight for their missing mother and father. They set up a GoFundMe to help cover the legal expenses they will incur for both their mother’s and father’s immigration cases.

Solis advised other people with undocumented family members not to leave the house, especially under heavy ICE activity. His birthday has arrived, and he noted that this is the first birthday he is celebrating without his mother. With his mother’s location unknown, it seems that even a phone call is impossible.

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