An ice-cream vendor who has lived in Los Angeles for two decades and sells his wares on Culver Boulevard, has returned home after being detained by federal immigration agents in June.
Enrique Lozano, who has now been granted a green card (permanent residency), was taken into custody while working, leaving his ice-cream cart abandoned on the street and concerning local residents, according to a KTLA report.
“It was a long, stressful time for sure,” his niece, Kimberly Noriega, told KTLA. “We’re so appreciative of everybody who helped. He’s very happy to be here.”
Noriega launched a GoFundMe campaign, where she wrote: “On June 23, 2025, at about my 1:15 PM, my uncle Ambrocio Lozano aka Enrique was kidnapped by masked men in an unmarked vehicle, near Culver Blvd and Sepulveda Blvd. With help from the Community Self-Defense Coalition, my family was able to identify the abandoned paletero cart and we were able to locate and pick up his belongings.
“Enrique has been selling paletas in this neighborhood for over 20 years, and is well known around the community. His wife and family are devastated and looking for any leads of his whereabouts. Enrique is the main provider for his wife and the family is seeking funds to help cover living expenses and legal fees. Thank you for your contributions.”
At the time of writing, nearly $76,000 has been raised. “When he was taken away, it shook this community,” Fred Delgado, a Culver City resident, told KTLA.
Lozano has no criminal record, yet he was detained for a full four months. He was eventually granted permanent residency through his wife, a United States resident.
With the nightmare hopefully at an end, local company Revolution Carts has donated a new cart to Lozano. “He just has to walk in, we’ll help him pay his permit fee, and he’s off and running,” said Matt Geller, a representative for the company.
According to his attorney, Ebony Espinoza, Lozano now plans to apply for U.S. citizenship.