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Venezuelan Man Accused of Enrolling in High School as a Minor
A 24-year-old illegal immigrant from Venezuela was arrested in Perrysburg, Ohio after he allegedly enrolled in a public high school using fraudulent documents. This unusual case has raised several concerns regarding school enrollment practices and immigration issues.
Charges and Investigation Details
Court records reveal that Anthony Emmanuel Labrador Sierra has been charged with forgery. He currently faces a bond set at $50,000. The Perrysburg Police Department received a report from the Perrysburg Local Schools regarding potential fraudulent activity linked to one of its students.
Following a preliminary investigation, the case was escalated to department detectives for further scrutiny. The detectives collaborated with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to gather more information.
Discovery of Fraudulent Enrollment
During the investigation, authorities discovered that Labrador Sierra was not an unaccompanied minor but a 24-year-old man who had used fraudulent documents to enroll in Perrysburg Schools under the guise of a 16-year-old student. School officials reported that he began his enrollment on January 11, 2024, per federal and state guidelines for assisting students without guardianship or those experiencing homelessness.
School’s Response to the Allegations
In a statement to Fox News Digital, school representatives confirmed that between January and May 2024, Labrador substantial documentation backed his status as a minor. This included obtaining a state-issued driver’s license and social security number, as well as securing Temporary Protected Status from U.S. Immigration.
Additionally, he completed a visa application with assistance from Advocating Opportunities, an organization offering free legal help. Notably, the Wood County Juvenile Court granted guardianship of Labrador Sierra to a local Perrysburg family.
Information Reported to School Officials
On May 14, the guardians alerted the school that they had received information indicating Labrador Sierra was not a minor but a 24-year-old adult. Following these claims, school administrators met with him on May 15, where he denied the allegations.
In light of the serious accusations, the Perrysburg Schools directed the guardians to ensure that Labrador did not have access to school property while the matter was under investigation. The school emphasized the unusual and deceptive nature of this case, as it involved multiple local, state, and federal agencies.
Review of School Policies
Perrysburg Schools performed a thorough review of its student enrollment procedures, confident they adhered to the legal protocols established for admitting individuals presenting as unaccompanied minors. This process follows guidelines outlined in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which aims to provide educational access to students lacking stable housing.
As the investigation proceeded, the school also noted that Labrador Sierra had been a participant in both the junior varsity soccer and swim teams, complicating the situation further. The Ohio High School Athletic Association was also informed of this unexpected circumstance.
Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest
Labrador Sierra was eventually taken into custody during a traffic stop on Interstate 75. Law enforcement continued to pursue inquiries into his immigration status and previous activities within the country.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that they located information related to Labrador Sierra under an alternative spelling of his last name. According to DHS, he is a visa overstay who initially arrived in the United States in 2019 and has received Temporary Protected Status.
The Road Ahead for the Case
Labrador Sierra remains in custody at the Wood County Jail with a bond set at $50,000. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 29. As legal processes unfold, this case highlights a critical conversation about immigration policies, school enrollment practices, and the complexities surrounding unaccompanied minors in the educational system.
As communities grapple with these issues, this case serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate challenges faced by those navigating immigration and the education system.
