Jose Bello, a Bakersfield College student detained by federal immigration authorities, is seen in a photo provided by the Bakersfield College Student Government Association.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) – A Bakersfield College student detained Tuesday by federal immigration authorities is a gang member, the government said.

Jose Bello was picked up during what U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement described as a targeted enforcement operation.

He was taken into custody along with his brother, Oscar. ICE said Wednesday that “both brothers are members of a local street gang.”



Earlier Wednesday afternoon, classmates and community members gathered at BC to rally in support of Jose Bello. The Student Government Association hosted the event, and BC released a statement supporting undocumented students and saying it “embraces diversity in all its forms and strives to support all students to and through their education.”

Student Government Association President James Tompkins later told Eyewitness News that they were unaware at the time of the rally that Jose Bello is a reputed gang member.

ICE also said both brothers, who they refer to as Bello-Reyes, have criminal convictions for violent offenses. Eyewitness News conducted a search of Kern County court records and wasn’t immediately able to locate any cases connected to Jose Bello.

The government said the brothers were granted prior voluntarily departure to Mexico but later illegally re-entered the Unites States.