A chef from Texas, who once worked for former President George W. Bush, has been deported twice after it was revealed he had been living in the U.S. illegally for over 30 years.
Sergio Garcia is known for his popular food truck in Waco, Texas. During his presidency, Bush employed him to cater for journalists. Back then, both George and Laura Bush even took a moment to pose for a photo with him, with Laura sending him a note wishing him well.
But things took a turn when it surfaced that Garcia, a married father of four, actually came to the U.S. illegally in 1989 by overstaying his tourist visa. He ignored a removal order from an immigration judge back in 2002.
Garcia was first stopped by immigration officials on March 25 while at his food truck and was deported to Mexico shortly after. He recounts, “They asked me if I was Sergio, and I said, ‘Yes, I’m Sergio.’ Then they said, ‘You have to come with us.'”
He managed to return to the U.S. on foot in April, but was deported once again. According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), he reentered illegally near Laredo, Texas, demonstrating a disregard for the law. Later that day, he was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol and faced criminal charges for illegal entry. He was convicted on June 3 and deported again the following day.
The community’s reaction to the sudden removal of such a well-liked chef was one of shock. Mito Diaz-Espinoza, president of the Centex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, commented that instances like this make people worry, “This could be me next, this could be my favorite place next, this could be someone I talk to every day.”
ICE defended its actions, stating that those deported had been given due process and had defied the law for years. Reports indicate that Garcia has been avoiding authorities since his deportation order in 2002, making him an immigrant fugitive for over 23 years.
Garcia’s wife has joined him in Mexico, and the couple is now looking for ways to return to the U.S. legally. They claim to have spent years and significant amounts of money trying to obtain legal status before their deportation.
Garcia expressed his feelings, saying, “I wish I could go back to America, but it’s not up to me.”
Deacon Blake Burleson from Waco’s Seventh and James Baptist Church mentioned that he would miss Garcia’s cooking, recalling, “I thought El Siete Mares was the best restaurant in Waco. Whenever I had guests in town, I took them there.”
