Guatemalan chef Carlos Lool Sánchez was detained by agents of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Saturday, May 9, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Authorities reported that he had already been deported four times.
Lool, who with his partner started two restaurants in South Los Angeles, was on her way to shop for a weekend business event when she was intercepted by federal agentsUS media reported.
“While we were preparing a catering event for our businesses, The Rotisserie Farm and Fire RotisserieCarlos and I went out to collect the necessary supplies. We had no idea that ICE agents were following us. As soon as we got out of the car, they forcibly detained Carlos. They drew their weapons, grabbed him aggressively, and pinned me down while I tried to reach him. It was one of the most heartbreaking and traumatic moments of my life,” said his partner, Jenna Lawrence, in the web space created to raise funds and stop his deportation.
The news was spread in various media, such as the news First Impactwhere they cited a statement from United States Department of Homeland Security.
“Carlos Lool Sánchez, of Guatemalan origin, was in the country irregularly. Sánchez had previously been deported four times and had been convicted of assault and falsification. He also faces new charges that include terrorist threats.“, indicates the document.
However, The detainee assured that the events to which the authorities refer occurred 30 years ago and that he has already paid for his mistakes. Now, he said, he dedicates his life to working and helping people.
“Helping people, also giving them jobs, because there are many people who work with me. What I want is to help people, try to show that one can change.“he said in a phone call to First Impact.
According to Infobae, the complaint of a former employee, who warned about the presence of a weapon at the restaurant, sparked the investigation into an alleged violation of Lool’s parole terms.
Lawrence, for his part, He assured that the weapon was kept for protection reasons: “We live in a dangerous neighborhood. We have been robbed. There are constantly people breaking windows and jumping over the fence,” he quoted Infobae.
Meanwhile, His partner and workers join forces to seek his release and avoid his deportation to Guatemala. To do this, they created a space on the internet where they gather resources to finance legal expenses.
“We now face overwhelming legal expenses, immigration fees, business difficulties and emergency costs as we fight for your future.”he explained.
He added that Lool’s arrest and possible deportation threaten not only his family, but also the companies and employees who depend on him every day.
“He has been in this country, his children live here. It is an overwhelming and extremely difficult situation.…plus, he doesn’t have his clothes, cell phone, or computer, and we are business owners. “We are sinking deeper and deeper into a bottomless pit because he is being deported,” the woman explained to ABC 7 News.
Carlos Lool Sánchez was born in Guatemala and raised in Connecticut, northeastern USA He began his culinary career when he was 15 years old.in a French restaurant.
After training at the Connecticut Culinary Institute, he moved to Los Angeles, where he continued his training and founded The Rotisserie Farm and Fuego Rotisserie LA Premiere Cateringwhere he joins his Guatemalan rootscooking over a wood fire and haute cuisine.
“Carlos is no longer the same man as he was 30 years ago. Over the past three decades, he has dedicated his life to becoming a respected chef, mentor, entrepreneur, father, and hard-working member of our community.. “He has spent years building businesses, creating jobs, mentoring young chefs, and pouring his heart into food and hospitality,” the site states.
Until now, The Department of Homeland Security has not issued official information on whether the chef will be deported or whether he will be able to appear before an immigration judge. to try to stay in the US.