Alexi Canas, a Maryland resident and father of eight U.S.-born children, was detained last week by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after appearing in traffic court for a suspended license violation. He has since been transferred to a detention facility in Louisiana, where he remains in custody. His sudden arrest and ongoing detention have sparked growing concern among family members, advocates, and community supporters, who argue that Alex poses no threat to public safety—and that deporting him to El Salvador would be not only unfair but dangerous.
A Sudden Detention
According to a post on a GoFundMe campaign launched to support his legal defense, Alex appeared in Maryland traffic court in early 2025 to address a charge of driving with a suspended license. He had taken proactive steps prior to the hearing, including hiring legal counsel, completing a driver improvement course, and fulfilling community service hours. Despite these efforts, ICE agents detained him at the courthouse and later transferred him to Louisiana. A judge there reportedly denied him bail, citing that he was a “danger to the community”—a designation his supporters strongly dispute.
A Life Built in the United States
The campaign details that Alex was born in El Salvador but has lived in the United States for more than 30 years without legal permanent resident status. He has never returned to his native country during that time. Instead, he built a life rooted in hard work, faith, and family—paying taxes, operating a licensed and insured home renovation business, and raising a family. He owns a home and is regarded by many in his community as a man of service, faith, and responsibility. He is also the sole breadwinner for his wife and eight children, one of whom has special needs.
Supporters emphasize that Alex has no criminal record—no history of violence, substance abuse, or legal trouble of any kind. The suspended license charge, they argue, is the only legal issue he has faced in his three decades in the U.S.
A Family in Crisis
The consequences of his detention have been swift and severe. With the family’s sole provider now behind bars, Alex’s wife and their three adult children (ages 18 to 22) have taken on multiple jobs just to keep up with household expenses. The family has already fallen behind on mortgage payments and is struggling to cover basic necessities. According to the campaign, legal fees for Alex’s immigration defense are expected to total between $40,000 and $50,000.
His supporters argue that labeling him a “danger to the community” is not only unjust but deeply damaging. “This statement ‘danger to the community’ is being misused and unfairly applied to innocent men like Alex,” the GoFundMe campaign states. “He’s as American as apple pie.”
If deported, Alex would be sent back to El Salvador—a country he hasn’t seen in over 30 years and where he has no known family or support system. Loved ones fear that such a move would endanger him and erase a lifetime of personal and professional contributions to American society.
A Broader Debate on Immigration Enforcement
Alex’s case highlights broader concerns about how immigration enforcement is carried out in the United States. While federal policy claims that ICE prioritizes individuals with serious criminal histories, cases like his raise questions about whether that standard is being applied fairly.
To many in his community, Alex represents the American dream: a hardworking immigrant who built a stable life over decades of effort. His supporters believe that removing him over a nonviolent traffic matter would be not just a legal failure—but a moral one.
As legal proceedings unfold, his family and legal team are urging the public to raise awareness and contribute to his defense. The GoFundMe campaign remains active as the community continues to rally for Alex’s right to remain in the country he calls home.
Virginia Times will continue to follow this case and provide coverage on immigration enforcement policies and their impacts on families across the United States.
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