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Venezuelan restaurant owner detained by ICE after organizing earthquake relief for home country

Jul 16, 2026 · El Paso, TX, Venezuela

Venezuelan restaurant owner detained by ICE after organizing earthquake relief for home country

Jorge Vilchez, owner of Caracas Latin Food restaurant in El Paso, Texas, was detained by ICE on July 16, 2026. A Venezuelan national who arrived in the United States on September 22, 2019, on a visa that expired on March 21, 2020, Vilchez had recently organized a humanitarian aid campaign through his restaurant to collect food, medicine, and supplies for earthquake victims in Venezuela on June 24. According to his family, he has no criminal record and had gained recognition in the El Paso community for his relief efforts and commitment to helping others. His asylum case remains pending before an immigration judge. He is being held at the Otero County Processing Center in New Mexico. His family and friends launched fundraising campaigns, including a GoFundMe, to cover legal fees and immigration process costs, while the restaurant announced it will continue operating during normal business hours.

Timeline

Jul 16, 2026Vilchez detained by ICE; held at Otero County Processing Center in New Mexico
Jun 24, 2026Vilchez organizes humanitarian aid campaign through restaurant to collect food, medicine, and supplies for Venezuelan earthquake victims
Mar 21, 2020Vilchez's visa expires
Sep 22, 2019Jorge Vilchez arrives in United States on visa

Sources

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