Wilber Urbina Garcia had a full schedule the day after his high school graduation. As the first in his family to graduate, he aimed to get a head start on his future. He planned to pick up his diploma, return a textbook, and register for fall classes at El Camino College. His plans had to wait for a check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a routine since their arrival from Nicaragua in late 2022, seeking asylum. That day, however, Wilber did not return home; he was taken into custody by immigration agents.
“All he wanted was to learn, but all his dreams just came crashing down,” said Winston Garcia, one of Wilber’s older brothers. “We don’t know what’s going to happen to him.” The Garcia family attended Wilber’s graduation at Jordan High School on June 9, beaming with pride as he graduated with honors. Wilber thrived in school, eventually presenting projects in English and holding leadership roles. But all that was overshadowed by his detention.
“We don’t know if he’ll get out, or when.”
Teachers, who quickly wrote character references upon learning of Wilber’s detention, described him as disciplined and dedicated. He enjoyed playing vintage video games and learning baseball with friends. He often cooked gallo pinto, a Nicaraguan dish, for his family. The Garcia family fled political persecution in Nicaragua and were granted work permits in the U.S. Their lawyer, Armineh Ebrahimian, represented their asylum case, although they refrained from revealing details due to fear of retaliation.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson mentioned that Wilber was released through the “Biden administration’s parole program.” They stated that those entering illegally face detention or deportation. Yadira Garcia, Wilber’s mother, acknowledged the opportunities found in Los Angeles which were unimaginable in Nicaragua. She no longer feared her children being targeted.
Wilber’s dreams included becoming a doctor. Yadira and her two youngest children had their asylum application separate from Wilson and his young daughter. They frequently checked in with ICE, experiencing monthly visits, but remained calm as they adhered to all procedures. The family was unexpectedly disrupted during their routine check-in on June 10 when Wilber was separated and detained without explanation. Ebrahimian asserted that Wilber, being a “derivative” of his mother’s case, should not have been separated. The Department of Homeland Security’s spokesperson confirmed that a pending asylum application doesn’t confer legal status.
“I’ve tried so hard to do everything right,” Yadira said. “I don’t know why they did this to us.”
Immigration lawyer Edgardo Quintanilla agreed that children like Wilber, tied to a parent’s asylum case, should remain so until they turn 21. However, Wilber, now at Adelanto ICE Processing Center, struggles. His family reports frequent tears and concerns about his welfare, such as access to meals and medication.
Ebrahimian is trying to schedule a hearing for his release on bond. Meanwhile, nightmares plague Winston about his brother’s treatment. Yadira and Wilson are now in removal proceedings with numerous check-ins and at-home visits ahead. They wonder if their lives will stabilize once more. Wilber’s cap and gown hang beside a Virgin Mary altar, decorated with blue and white gems, colors of the Nicaraguan flag, and a dedication: “Gracias Dios por este logro — Thank you, God, for this accomplishment.”