Fighting through tears, the parents of 29-year-old Leonel Armando Bolivar Linares say they’ve been living in a nightmare since their son was detained by ICE.
“This has been very difficult,” said Dayana Linares, the mother of Leonel Armando Bolivar Linares.
The 29-year-old was on his way to Trout Creek Academy in St. Johns County, where he works as a school custodian, about 5 a.m. on August 5, when his parents say a white van turned its lights on and pulled him over.
“Before the truck stopped, he sent a text message to his father where he said the police had stopped him,” Dayana said.
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Dayana says when his coworkers didn’t see him come to work, they started looking for him and found his car abandoned on the side of the road.
“We didn’t imagine it was ICE,” she said.
Dayana says their family moved to the United States in 2023. She, her husband, and Leonel have been working in St. Johns County Schools for the past three years.
Now they are just praying they will be able to see their son again.
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Action News Jax reached out to ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, and the St. Johns County School District for a statement.
An ICE spokesperson sent us the following statement:
Leonel Armando Bolivar Linares, an illegal alien of Venezuela, was arrested by ICE officers in Jacksonville, during targeted operations on Aug. 6, 2026.
Bolivar entered the country lawfully through the Miami International Airport on Feb. 3, 2023. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the termination of the 2023 Venezuela Temporary Protected Status designation. Bolivar does not have legal authorization to remain in the United States and will remain in ICE custody for immigration proceedings.
Being in detention is a choice. We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $2,600 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.
The family has hired an attorney to navigate their next steps.
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