POMONA, Calif. () — A 13-year-old Pomona boy is facing another painful loss after the uncle who has been raising him was detained by federal immigration authorities this week, according to family members.
For Bryan Gonzalez, the detention of his uncle and sole caregiver, Jose Oleaz, comes two years after the deaths of his aunt Yesenia and Oleaz’s sister Alejandra, who were killed by a DUI driver.
Yesenia had been in the process of adopting Bryan at the time of her death. Oleaz, who was married to Yesenia, had since stepped in to raise him and sought to continue the adoption process.
“My dad’s like such a good person, and he’s the one that always has to put up with the worst things,” Bryan told Eyewitness News.
Oleaz, 34, was taken into custody Wednesday during a raid in Pomona.
Bryan said his first reaction was fear for his uncle’s safety.
“The first thought that came to my mind was me hoping that he was OK and that nothing bad happened to him,” he said.
Family member Jorge Gonzalez said Oleaz had been working at the same landscaping company for many years.
“He’s very responsible, very hardworking. He’s the nicest person I know, and for this to happen to him is just devastating,” he said.
Oleaz came to the U.S. more than 20 years ago from Mexico.
Relatives say Oleaz is the family’s primary breadwinner and also cares for his father, who has cancer. Family members say he has no criminal record and is devoted to his family, especially Bryan.
“You are taking people away from their kids, their families,” Bryan said.
A GoFundMe has been created to help cover basic expenses and hire an attorney for the family. Loved ones say Oleaz has been devoted to giving Bryan stability and helping him avoid the foster care system.
“He always pushes me to do better,” Bryan said. “He’s a great dad.”
© 2026 Television,
