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HISD student's asylum approval reversed, detained by ICE after misdemeanor arrest

Jun 4, 2026 · Houston, TX

HISD student's asylum approval reversed, detained by ICE after misdemeanor arrest

Geremy Arteaga Cruz, a 19-year-old Lamar High School junior, was detained by ICE in January 2026 after the Trump administration reversed his asylum application approval, which had been granted by USCIS in June 2025. Arteaga Cruz arrived in the U.S. as an unaccompanied minor in 2023 with his twin sister. He was arrested at a convenience store on a misdemeanor public intoxication charge, pleaded guilty, and paid fines, but was transferred to ICE custody while in Harris County jail instead of being released. Before his detention, he was a student at Lamar High School, volunteered at an English literacy program at the University of St. Thomas, and worked as a barber. He has also been identified as a victim of human trafficking and has a pending T visa application. As of June 2026, Arteaga Cruz has been held at Polk Adult Detention Facility for four months. His attorneys contend that had USCIS issued a timely notice of its asylum decision, he would not have been detained. His asylum case is scheduled to be heard by an immigration judge on June 23, 2026.

Timeline

Jun 23, 2026Arteaga Cruz's asylum case scheduled to be heard by immigration judge
Jan 2026Arteaga Cruz is arrested on misdemeanor public intoxication charge at convenience store, pleads guilty and pays fines, but is transferred to ICE custody while in Harris County jail
Jan 2026Trump administration reverses Arteaga Cruz's asylum approval and deems him ineligible
Jun 2025USCIS approves Arteaga Cruz's asylum application at Houston asylum office
2023Geremy Arteaga Cruz arrives in U.S. as unaccompanied minor with his twin sister

Sources

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