Desert View High Walks Out For Student Detained By Border Patrol

TUCSON, AZ — Some 120 students walked off the campus of Desert View High School Monday, protesting the detention of one of their classmates and football players, Thomas Torres, a senior just weeks away from his graduation.

Torres was detained Thursday night by Border Patrol agents after a traffic stop by Pima County Sheriffs, according to a statement sent by the walkout's organizers.

Pima County Sheriffs say the 18-year-old was pulled over for a "mandatory insurance suspension" and could not provide identification. Deputies said he admitted to being in the country without documentation.

The group walked to the Pima County Sheriff's Department on Benson Highway. The group held a press conference at around 10 a.m. to brief reporters about the incident. Later, Sunnyside School District officials sent busses to pick the students up.

"Students have witnessed another of their own being taken and are tired of seeing this happen again," the statement read.

PCSD issued a press release Monday night:

The actions of the deputy are what the Sheriff would expect of any deputy under similar circumstances. The deputy conducted a thorough investigation and utilized all resources available to him in an attempt to identify the driver. Identification of the driver was fundamentally necessary and required to issue valid traffic citations. When informed by Torres-Maytorena that he did not have legal status, the deputy contacted the federal agency in charge of immigration (USBP). In regard to state traffic laws, Torres-Maytorena was given a traffic citation for displaying a plate suspended for financial responsibility, no mandatory insurance, no valid driver’s license, and no current registration. The vehicle was immobilized pursuant to ARS 28-3511.

Torres moved to Tucson from Mexico with his mother and two sisters and has been going to Desert View High School for the past 4 years, Lorena Rodriguez, a family friend said. In addition to practice and books, Torres also worked side jobs bussing tables and cleaning yards for years.

"No job is ever too small or big for him," Rodriguez said.

Happening now! Desert view youth walked out in the name of their missing community member, Thomas. He is already in Eloy detention, after a traffic stop by a sheriff. #operationthomas pic.twitter.com/4iSRg7MDSD
— Alejandra (@AleLaPlebe) May 6, 2019

A GoFundme account has been setup to help with legal costs.

Note: This article has been edited to clarify the number of students walking off from 200 to 120.