U Visa Holder Detained in Immigration Crackdown Near Son’s Bus Stop

RICHMOND, Va. — Silviano Mora Vera, a 53-year-old U visa holder, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on September 24 near his 17-year-old son’s bus stop, according to family reports.

Mora Vera’s arrest is part of a broader immigration crackdown as the Biden administration pushes for increased deportations. The administration aims to detain immigrants, both undocumented and those with valid documentation, including green cards and visas.

After walking his son to the bus stop, Mora Vera reportedly helped a neighbor, only to be confronted by several SUVs as ICE officers detained him. His wife, Lilliana, witnessed the arrest, stating, “When they all got up, I saw my husband kneeling and they had already handcuffed him.”

Their son, Guillermo, who did not board the bus, rushed back to his family and informed the agents that his father had valid immigration documents. Despite bringing these documents, Mora Vera’s release was not secured.

Mora Vera is legally in the United States on a U nonimmigrant status visa, which is designated for victims of certain crimes who assist law enforcement. His family contends he is in the process of applying for a green card.

The U visa program, established in October 2000, has an annual cap of 10,000 visas. Applicants must have been in the U.S. for three years continuously under this status and must not have unreasonably refused to aid law enforcement.

According to his family, Mora Vera has a misdemeanor driving conviction from 2019. Recent statements from the administration indicate they are targeting individuals with criminal histories.

Mora Vera was initially held at Riverside Regional Jail in Prince George County before being transferred to Farmville Detention Center. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, reiterated the administration’s commitment to deporting individuals with criminal backgrounds.

On October 1, Eunice Cho, senior counsel at the ACLU’s National Prison Project, criticized the expansion of ICE detention facilities, calling it an abusive practice. “The public has a right to know how its taxpayer dollars are being used,” Cho stated.

Lilliana described her husband as a community-oriented individual, stating, “We have always been involved in the community. He is a good person, and I know that he did not deserve that.”

The impact of ICE’s presence on local communities has been stark. Richmond Public Schools officials reported growing fears among students and families due to recent ICE actions in the area.

The ACLU of Virginia filed a lawsuit against ICE on October 1 to demand records related to the agency’s plans for expanding immigration detention in the state.