Magna woman’s brother detained by ICE, leaving family concerned about future.
Feb 10, 2025, 3:28 PM | Updated: 4:05 pm
FILE: In this handout photo provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, federal law enforcement officers coordinate with other officials on the ground during an enhanced immigration enforcement operation on February 4, 2025 near Washington, D.C. A Magna family is wondering why their brother was detained by ICE. They said he isn't a violent criminal (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement via Getty Images)
(U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement via Getty Images)
MAGNA — Alejandra Jaimes is anxiously awaiting news about her brother, Luis Colon, who was detained by an ICE agent on Jan. 27, 2025.
Colon was stopped near Copper Hills Elementary in West Valley City after dropping his son, Junior, off for kindergarten.
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Jaimes said she is concerned for her 5-year-old nephew, who Colan has been raising since the child was one year old.
“Junior has been with Luis since he was a baby. They’ve never been apart for this long,” Jaimes said. “It’s hard to think about the future for him without his dad.”
According to the ICE Online Detainee Locator System, Colon is being held at the Nevada Southern Detention Center in Pahrump. Although he has been able to contact his family by phone, Jaimes said it’s difficult for Junior, who speaks with his father every night before bed.
Magna family says their brother isn’t a violent criminal
Colon, who crossed the border from Mexico in 2004, has lived in Utah for nearly two decades. Utah court records show he has had two misdemeanor offenses, including a DUI, for which he served time and paid fines.
Despite this, Jaimes is confused by his detention, especially as the Trump administration has focused immigration enforcement on individuals with violent criminal records.
He’s not a killer or a rapist,” Jaimes said. “He’s a hard worker. He installs hardwood floors and pays his taxes. As far as I know, he didn’t have a deportation order against him,” said Alejandra Jaimes.
Gov. Spencer Cox has supported President Trump’s immigration policies, which prioritize the arrest of those with serious criminal histories. In a Jan. 24 post on X, ICE stated “Targeted enforcement operations are planned arrests of known criminal aliens who threaten national security or public safety.”
— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) January 25, 2025
Jaimes emphasized that her nephew’s situation is unique, as his mother is not involved in his life. Junior, born in the U.S., lacks the paperwork to travel to Mexico if his father is deported. Jaimes plans to seek legal assistance to secure custody of her nephew, get his paperwork in order, and eventually apply for dual citizenship.
However, she said the process could take years.
“My brother promised he would always be there for his son,” Jaimes said. “Now, we’re completely caught off guard by what’s happening.”
Jaimes, who noted that many of her family members are in the U.S. legally and can help support Junior, also warned others in similar situations.
Make sure your paperwork is in order,” she said. “You don’t want to end up in a situation like this,” said Haimes.
She said Colon was scheduled to make his first court appearance on Monday, where Jaimes hopes he will be allowed to stay and care for his son.
