I still hear the bell from the paleta cart on summer afternoons. As kids, that sound meant sweet, cold, and safe. For one L.A. block this year, the bell stopped. Their paletero, Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano, was taken by masked agents while selling outside a church. 114 days later, he walked back in with hugs, balloons, and a green card on the way. “We never lost faith,” his niece said, and a whole city felt that line in their chest. 

What actually happened

According to the Los Angeles Times, agents grabbed Lozano on June 23 while he worked his route in Culver City. His cart sat there, alone, in a photo that spread fast. After months in ICE detention, a judge approved lawful permanent residence through INA §245(i)—a narrow path that helps some people apply from inside the U.S. despite old entry issues. Community letters, a longtime work record, and legal help were keys. 

So yes, policy debates are loud. But this case turned on receipts, not speeches: a filed petition, clean facts, and neighbors who showed up.

245(i) in plain English

Section 245(i) is a rule from the early 2000s. If someone (or their parent/spouse) had a family petition or labor cert filed by April 30, 2001, they may be “grandfathered.” That status can let them adjust status from inside the U.S. later, even if they crossed without inspection—if they’re otherwise eligible and pay a penalty fee. It is picky. Dates and proof matter a lot. 

USCIS explains it like this: 245(i) does not stop deportation by itself, and not everyone with an old petition qualifies. You must still meet all other rules (like a current visa number, no disqualifying crimes, etc.), and you have to document the old filing. 

Why this story hit home

Lozano pushed a cart in the same area for 20+ years. Neighbors bought paletas from him; kids grew up waving at him. When he disappeared, a support tree popped up overnight—letters, a lawyer, court day rides, even a feast when he returned. The Times notes 150+ letters and a local coalition that found counsel. This is what real “community safety” looks like: people saving each other’s paperwork, time, and spirit. 

How 245(i) cases get won (and lost)

Think of 245(i) like a tiny door in a big wall. It opens only if:

• There’s proof of a qualifying filing on or before April 30, 2001 (I-130, I-140, or labor cert) and it was properly filed.  
• You’re eligible now for a green card (for example, a current family or employment category).
• You pay the $1,000 penalty fee (with normal adjustment fees). (See USCIS for fee info and rules; they change.)  

Common ways folks trip:

• No hard proof of that old filing (receipts, notices, mailing).
• Wrong assumptions about who counts as a derivative (spouses/children rules are fussy).  
• Name or date mismatches that look small but break the chain.

A simple “Am I possibly 245(i)?” check

Not legal advice. Just a starter list you can bring to a lawyer:

1. Any family or labor filing before May 1, 2001? Find the receipt. Ask older relatives. Dig in shoeboxes.
2. Who was named? You, a parent, or a spouse at that time? Derivative rules matter.  
3. What’s your current path? Marriage to a U.S. citizen? Adult child over 21? Employer?
4. Any bars or old orders? Talk to counsel early if yes—don’t guess.
5. Make copies of everything. Scan it. Save to cloud. Name files with dates.

Good resources: USCIS 245(i) page and the USCIS Policy Manual section on 245(i). If you’re a nerd for details, the ILRC has a plain-language brief that many advocates still keep handy. 

What this means for L.A. right now

ICE activity in Southern California has been heavy this year, and the Times has covered raids and conditions across multiple pieces. When enforcement spikes, paper trails and neighbors matter even more. Hotlines are good. But letters of support, proof of roots, and a fast lawyer call at the first hour—those change cases. 

If someone you know goes missing:

• Write down the time and place you last saw them.
• Save any video from doorbells or phones.
• Contact counsel the same day.
• Start the letter drive: teachers, pastors, bosses, customers. Keep each letter under a page with dates and contact info.

The cart, the bell, the lesson

The bell is back. Kids are smiling again, and a family is breathing. The system is tough, slow, and sometimes cruel. But this case shows a path: old filings + strong facts + a loud neighborhood. Paper plus people.

Small note for anyone reading with a knot in their stomach: it’s okay to be scared. Just don’t stay still. Ask a clinic. Call a lawyer early. Keep your records clean. Sometimes, the tiny door opens.