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Fifth-grade ESL teacher released after 297 days in ICE detention, seeks return to classroom

Sep 24, 2025·Location: San Antonio, TX

Country of origin: Cuba

Fifth-grade ESL teacher released after 297 days in ICE detention, seeks return to classroom
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Roberto López Falcón, a Cuban immigrant and fifth-grade ESL teacher at Hart Elementary School in Austin, was detained on September 3, 2025, during a routine immigration check-in in San Antonio after entering the U.S. without authorization in March 2022. He was held for 297 days at the Karnes County Immigration Processing Center while his asylum claim, which cited conflicts with Cuban officials over his teaching of civics, was denied in October. He was released in late June 2026 and is now seeking to return to the classroom. At least five Austin ISD employees have been detained amid the broader immigration enforcement crackdown, according to the local teachers' union.

Timeline

Sep 24, 2025—López Falcón held for three weeks with limited communication; Austin ISD replaces him with substitute and offers student counseling
Sep 3, 2025—ICE detains at least five Austin ISD employees including López Falcón during routine check-in in San Antonio; López Falcón transferred to Karnes County federal facility
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