San Jose Tattoo Artist Charged with Berkeley Carjackings Amid Deportation Battle

Guillermo Medina Reyes, a San Jose tattoo artist and immigrant rights activist, who has been fighting deportation since being brought to the U.S. as a child, was arrested in Berkeley following a series of alleged crimes including attempted carjackings, vehicle thefts, and assaults. Despite previous legal victories that temporarily halted his deportation, Reyes faces multiple felony charges amid reports that his erratic behavior may be linked to mental health or substance issues. Reyes has a complex history, including a conviction for attempted murder as a teenager and subsequent time in ICE detention, but supporters emphasize his transformation and advocacy against harsh immigration policies. His recent arrest involved incidents captured on surveillance and reported by witnesses, where he displayed disruptive conduct in public spaces before police detained him. While Reyes’s criminal charges present new legal challenges, immigration advocates and experts caution against conflating his alleged criminal behavior with his ongoing immigration case, highlighting concerns about racial profiling and immigration enforcement tactics. The situation underscores the tension between criminal justice and immigration enforcement, as Reyes’s supporters continue to rally amid his legal battles and mental health evaluations.