‘Little buddy’ Guatemalan restaurant manager released on bond after month in ICE custody

OMAHA — The Guatemalan restaurant manager detained by immigration agents following a “wrong turn” onto a Bellevue military base June 7 has been released on bond, pending resolution of his case seeking to stay in the United States.

Jazon Gonzalez Perez, granted a $2,500 bond by a judge Wednesday in immigration court, was spotlighted in a recent Nebraska Examiner story. His friend and mentor, lifelong Nebraskan Richard Randall, Sr., described how his own support and view of President Donald Trump’s immigration strategy had shifted. 

Randall said the arrest of his “little buddy,” Gonzalez Perez, “hit home” and did not represent the type of enforcement he had bought into when he voted for Trump last November. The case reflected stepped-up tactics at worksites, on streets and in courthouses coinciding with quotas demanded by the Trump administration.

When arrested, Gonzalez Perez had been looking for a bank branch to deposit funds on behalf of work. A cellphone search led him toward a branch on Offutt Air Force Base. He was detained at a checkpoint when he could not produce a valid driver’s license.

Immigration enforcement ‘hit home’ for Trump supporter worried about ‘little buddy’ ICE detained

Base personnel called U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Gonzalez Perez called Randall. 

As agents took Gonzalez Perez, Randall recalled saying, “Hey wait, he’s not a terrorist. He manages a restaurant. I thought we were arresting gang members, murderers and rapists. He’s none of those.”

Gonzalez Perez’s attorney, Erika Buenrostro, said her client was released on bond pending resolution of his civil case in immigration court. He is accused of unauthorized U.S. presence. Given the court backlog, local attorneys say such cases can take years to resolve.

Upon his release from nearly a month in jail, Randall said his buddy expressed gratitude for Plattsmouth area community members who showed support, and that Gonzalez Perez was happy to be home with family and friends.

“Our community spoke up for Jazon and he is touched by all of the support,” said Randall.