Yuma DACA recipient taken into custody, family calling for his release

Family Seeks Answers After Yuma Man Detained

Yuma, Arizona – A man from Yuma is currently being processed by the U.S. Border Patrol in Florence, Arizona, and his family is demanding explanations.

They claim he was wrongfully detained, even though he is a recipient of the federal DACA program.

We spoke with the man’s family to share their experiences.

Outside the U.S. Border Patrol office in Yuma, the family of 27-year-old Jose Bardovinos is gathering to protest his arrest and call for his immediate release.

Bardovinos’ wife reports that they were stopped on Sunday night without any clear reason after visiting a local gas station.

“We were at Circle K, just grabbing a drink before heading to my mother-in-law’s house. They were right behind us. We rolled down the window when they asked if we were American citizens,” she said.

Video from the traffic stop captures Bardovinos and his family standing up to law enforcement, seeking clarity on his detention.

DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is a federal immigration policy that offers temporary protection from deportation for individuals brought to the U.S. as children.

This program allows for renewable work permits every two years but does not provide a route to citizenship or permanent legal status.

Bardovinos’ wife expressed frustration, stating, “I provided every legal document they could ask for—transcripts, pay stubs—he’s been working since finishing high school, he has his diploma. There’s no reason for them to hold him this long.”

Bardovinos has lived in Yuma since he was two years old and has been married to his partner for over a year.

She mentioned that this incident has shaken their trust in local authorities.

“It’s unsettling because you want to feel safe with the YPD and border guards, who are supposed to protect us. Instead, they’re targeting people like us—law-abiding citizens, hard workers, not criminals or drug users,” she remarked.

In a statement, Bardovinos’s sister emphasized that their fight for his release is just beginning, noting that this issue extends beyond just one individual.

“I know my brother well and I’ll keep fighting. He has been part of the Yuma community since he was two. He knows who he is, and we’re ready to stand up for him,” she stated.

Based on immigration policies, Bardovinos could be released, face prolonged detention, or enter removal proceedings, contingent on his DACA status, immigration history, and any potential criminal record.