After Father’s ICE Detention, RivCo Student Fights To Support Family, Continue College

RIVERSIDE, CA — After his father was detained by federal immigration agents, a 19-year-old college student is seeking community support as he works to support his family and stay in school.

Cesar Andres Caicedo Hincapie, a Riverside City College student, said his father, Cesar Asdruval Caicedo Pulido, was detained by ICE on July 3, 2025. He told CBS that his family was under the impression that they had done everything legally to remain in America. They even visited with a lawyer days before his father was detained to check their status.

"Since then I have been on my own trying to support us while continuing my studies and paying for a lawyer for my father," Hincapie wrote on his GoFundMe page.

Three years ago, Cesar says his family came to the United States with asylum status from Colombia. In that time, the family obtained work permits and Social Security numbers.

"Before coming here, my father owned his own car air conditioning business in Colombia, and here in the United States, he has worked tirelessly in restaurants, making deliveries, as a mechanic, and as an Amazon driver," Hincapie said.

After he graduated high school in June of last year, the family moved to Riverside for a new start.

On July 2, they celebrated their father's birthday. And the next day, while he was making deliveries, he was taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

Despite having a sponsor, housing and a stable work history, Hincapie said his father was denied bail.

Ever since, Hincapie said the burden of his household's expenses have fallen on him: rent, utilities, food, transportation, legal fees and more.

In addition to his classes, Hincapie works in an Amazon warehouse, and volunteers at his school's undocumented students office.

"There were some very difficult times," he said. "I worked 10- to 11-hour days and then went to class with only three or four hours of sleep just to keep us afloat. Today, I'm still fighting, but I've learned to ask for help."

As of Thursday afternoon, his GoFundMe campaign had raised $3,052. Hincapie says he will use the funds for rent, basic expenses, education costs and his father's attorney fees so he can apply for bail again.

"Any contribution, no matter how small, helps us immensely. If you can't donate, sharing this story also means a lot to us," the 19-year-old wrote. "My father is a hardworking, respectful, and dedicated man who simply wants to support my education again and rebuild our life together.

"I just want to continue studying and not lose the future he has sacrificed so much for. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for reading our story and for any support you can offer."