St. Johns school custodian detained by ICE in Jacksonville

A union representing education support staff in St. Johns County says a public school custodian was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement while heading to work last week, separating him from his family. The St. Johns Educational Support Professional Association said it learned that Leonel Armando Bolivar Linares was detained by ICE officers on Aug. 6 while on his way to work. The union described him as “a dedicated custodian in our public schools” and urged members to share his story and contact ICE. In a statement provided to News4JAX, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Bolivar Linares, “an illegal alien of Venezuela,” was arrested by ICE officers in Jacksonville during targeted operations on Aug. 6. The spokesperson said Bolivar Linares entered the United States lawfully through Miami International Airport on Feb. 3, 2023, and that the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the termination of the 2023 Venezuela Temporary Protected Status designation.