A Juneau man has been detained by federal immigration officials in Anchorage. Cruz Vargas-Enriques was taken into custody on Oct. 28, according to the Alaska Department of Corrections. He was transferred out of Alaska on Nov. 7.
Vargas-Enriques is 42 and has children in Juneau schools. Shawn Arnold, superintendent of the Juneau School District, says the district is aware of the situation.
“We’re supporting the students as best as possible,” Arnold said in a call with KTOO last week. “And ensuring the students’ education isn’t being interrupted.”
Vargas-Enriques is at least the seventh Juneau resident to be detained by federal immigration officials since the beginning of 2025.
He was one of 18 people held by the Alaska Department of Corrections on behalf of the federal government in October. All of those people, including Vargas-Enriques, have since been transferred out of Alaska’s correctional system.
It’s not clear what led federal officials to detain Vargas-Enriques in Anchorage. According to the Alaska Court System’s database, his most recent criminal charge was in 2017.
KTOO is interested in speaking to people who’ve been impacted by immigration enforcement in Juneau. If you or someone you know would like to talk, please email yvonne.krumrey@ktoo.org.
