ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — A local family and school community are seeking answers after a 29-year-old school custodian was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on his way to work.
St. Johns school staffer arrested by ICE
Leonel Armando Bolivar Linares was taken into custody at approximately 5:00 a.m. on August 5. He was driving to Trout Creek Academy in St. Johns County, where he is employed as a school custodian. According to local reporting, a white van activated its lights and pulled him over. Right before his vehicle came to a stop, Linares sent a text message to his father stating that the police had pulled him over.
When Linares did not arrive for his morning shift, his concerned coworkers began searching for him. They eventually found his car abandoned on the side of the road. After seeking more information regarding his disappearance, it was discovered that he had been detained by ICE.
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The Linares family immigrated to the United States in 2023. Since arriving, Leonel has worked for the St. Johns County school system alongside both his mother, Dayana Linares, and his father. The three of them have been employed at the same school.
St. Johns County school custodian detained by ICE, union and family call for support
Local labor organizers have formally stepped in to advocate for the family. Charlena Retkowski, president of the St. Johns Educational Support Professional Association #7462, issued a letter asking immigration authorities to review the case. Retkowski confirmed that Linares is currently in the United States seeking asylum, possesses a valid work permit, and has additional paperwork pending. She emphasized that the 29-year-old has no criminal record.
St. Johns school staffer arrested by ICE
Linares currently remains in ICE custody, separated from his family. His parents have hired an attorney to navigate the sudden legal process and are currently raising funds for a potential immigration bond and associated legal fees.
Material fact: A working custodian with a valid work permit and pending asylum claim was snatched off the road before dawn by an unmarked van on his way to open a public school. His coworkers found the empty car. The family that shares the same workplace is now left scrambling for bond money while the detention system holds him. This is the daily operation of the deportation machine.
