Community members are rallying to support a Los Angeles gardener and his family after he chose to self-deport following a detention by federal immigration agents.
Alberto Cabral, 73, came to the U.S. from Mexico at age 15. He worked as a landscaper for decades, serving clients in Westwood, West Hollywood, and the Hollywood Hills, and lived in the L.A. area for nearly 60 years.
Clients and neighbors said Cabral, who faced health challenges in recent years, never missed a job and became a familiar presence in his community.
His longtime client, Ruby Llamas, said Cabral suffered from serious medical conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. He had recently fractured his lower leg and tailbone and had an open wound on his lower leg. Despite these challenges, he remained committed to his work.
Cabral remained undocumented, and on Jan. 7, while working at Llamas’ West Hollywood home, federal immigration agents surrounded and detained him.
“They came at him aggressively and he asked them, ‘Please don’t touch me, I’m injured. I won’t resist, but please don’t injure me,’” Llamas said. “They were a little bit more gentle with him, but nonetheless, they still were very assertive in how they took him away.”
News of the detention devastated loved ones and neighbors.
“I just feel completely gutted,” Llamas told KTLA’s Chris Wolfe. “He has been working for us for 10 years. He was an extension of our community, our friends.”
Cabral was later taken to a detention center in downtown L.A., where he was given the option to voluntarily leave the country. He agreed and chose to self-deport to Tijuana, Mexico, citing concerns for his safety and health.
Cabral was the primary caretaker and source of income for his 97-year-old mother and his 70-year-old longtime girlfriend, Gloria Blanco.
When asked how she would respond to those who say Cabral should have obtained legal status, Llamas said, “I don’t think it’s just a black and white situation. Unfortunately, he has low literacy, so navigating that whole [documentation] process is a challenge for that population.”
In the meantime, Llamas has launched a GoFundMe to help Cabral’s family with medical and living expenses as he adjusts to this next chapter.
KTLA has reached out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for comment on Cabral’s case and is awaiting a response.