Gainesville teen football player, mother released after ICE detained family in Texas
Sebastian Jimenez Peroza, a 17-year-old Gainesville High School athlete, was detained with his family after fleeing Venezuela and seeking asylum. He and his mother were freed on bond after two weeks and flew home to a community welcome.
Sep 2, 2026Gainesville, FLCountry of origin: Venezuela

Sebastian Jimenez Peroza, a 17-year-old Venezuelan senior at Gainesville High School who plays football, soccer and baseball, was detained by ICE agents along with his mother Antmary Peroza Barrios, stepfather, and sister Fabiana Morillo Peroza at their Gainesville apartment complex days before the school year began. The family had fled Venezuela due to his mother's activism against the government and had been pursuing asylum after their visa expired. Football coach Ashour Peera rallied community support, describing Jimenez as 'a remarkable young man' who 'lights up a room' and a teammate who checked in on others; students displayed a Venezuelan flag with his jersey number, and a GoFundMe raised more than $20,000. After two weeks at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas, Sebastian and his mother were released on $5,000 bonds each and flew back to Jacksonville, where they were greeted by his coach and classmates; his stepfather was released separately on a $6,500 bond, his location undisclosed. His sister's case remained open, with a bond hearing scheduled for Sept. 9, and ICE has not explained why the family was detained.
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Sources
- Gainesville Football Player Detained by ICE – WRUF 98.1 FM | 850 AM | 103.7 HD2 ESPN
- ICE-detained GHS student-athlete is coming home
Main Street Daily News·Sep 3, 2026
- Gainesville High School football player and family detained by ICE days before first game
WUFT·Sep 1, 2026
- Blue Water Healthy Living
- Gainesville High School student-athlete detained by ICE approved for bond, returning home
WCJB·Sep 3, 2026
- Gainesville high school student, mother released from immigration detention
WUFT·Sep 5, 2026
- Gainesville family
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