Park City High alumnus detained by ICE days before University of Utah graduation

Lisandro Pantaleon Pacheco, a Park City High School alumnus and University of Utah student, was detained by ICE on April 29 while on his way to work in Park City, according to his girlfriend and attorney. Photo: GoFundMe

PARK CITY, Utah — A Park City High School alumnus and University of Utah student was detained by immigration agents this week, just days before he was expected to graduate from college, prompting community support and concern amid reported ICE activity in the Park City area.

Lisandro Pantaleon Pacheco, 22, was detained April 29 while on his way to work in Park City, according to his girlfriend, Britney Xiques, and attorney Adam Crayk. FOX 13 reported that Pacheco is being held in Evanston, Wyoming.

The GoFundMe, titled “Bring Lisandro Home for His Graduation,” says Pacheco was detained “during an operation in the Park City and Heber area” while on his way to his first day at a new job, with class scheduled afterward. As of Friday morning, the fundraiser had raised more than $28,000 toward a $30,000 goal, with donations listed as paused.

Pacheco was expected to graduate from the University of Utah’s College of Health.

Xiques told TownLift that Pacheco was driving to his job at The Bagel Den in Park City around 6 a.m. April 29 when he was pulled over and detained.

“I noticed him not respond to my morning text, so I began tracking his location,” Xiques said.

Xiques said she saw his location move toward Salt Lake County, where he eventually arrived at an immigration facility in West Valley City. She said he was able to call her around 9 a.m. and that she did not hear from him again until about 2 p.m., after he had been transferred to Wyoming.

Crayk told reporters Thursday that Pacheco has no criminal history beyond a traffic citation, according to FOX 13 and KSL. FOX 13 reported that Crayk said Pacheco was brought to the United States from Mexico by his mother when he was 1 year old.

The GoFundMe describes Pacheco as a student, son, friend, and neighbor who participated in Dream Big, Bright Futures, and Latinos in Action at the Park City High School before attending the University of Utah. The fundraiser says the money raised will go toward legal fees, a bond (if applicable), and support for his family.

The detention came the same day Park City School District sent a message to families acknowledging “Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in our community” and assuring parents that schools remain “safe and a welcoming place for every child.”

The district said all children have the legal right to attend public school regardless of immigration status, that the district does not collect immigration-status information, and that it will not proactively contact federal immigration agencies to share student information.

“No student will be released to federal immigration authorities without presenting a valid Judicial Warrant,” the district said.

Xiques described Pacheco as “a loving and caring person who always puts everyone above himself.”

“He’s truly missed,” she said.

In an Instagram post shared after Pacheco’s detention, Xiques asked the public to spread the word and show support.

“Lisandro is a good person, never sped, always followed the laws, he cares deeply for his family and friends,” she wrote.

Xiques told TownLift the most helpful thing the community can do is keep sharing Pacheco’s story.

“Just don’t let his story die out, share stories about Lisandro, post photos of him that they have, and just share memories about him,” she said.