Illegal immigrant posed as teen, enrolled in Ohio high school for over a year 

A 24-year-old illegal immigrant from Venezuela was arrested in Ohio this week after allegedly posing as a 16-year-old unaccompanied minor to enroll in a public high school—where he joined sports teams and obtained government documents.

According to court records, Anthony Emmanuel Labrador Sierra used forged documents to enroll at Perrysburg High School in January 2024. For more than a year, he attended classes and participated in junior varsity soccer and swim teams. 

Labrador obtained a driver’s license, Social Security number, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) with help from a nonprofit called Advancing Opportunities. A local family was granted legal guardianship through Wood County Juvenile Court. 

School officials say they complied with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which requires schools to enroll minors who are homeless or lack legal guardianship. 

“What’s most heartbreaking is how many responded in good faith. Staff and local families offered support to someone they believed was a vulnerable teen. Their compassion reflects the best of our community. Though trust was violated, we remain proud of those who chose to help,” the district stated. “Student safety remains our highest priority. We are committed to transparency and to strengthening safeguards that protect every child in our schools.”

On May 14, 2025, Labrador’s guardians contacted the school with suspicions about his age. Though he denied allegations, the district immediately barred him from school property. 

“Given the seriousness of the claim, Perrysburg Schools immediately directed the guardians to keep Labrador off school property while the matter was investigated further,” the school said. “This case involves highly unusual and deceptive circumstances that impacted many local, state and federal agencies.”

Labrador was detained during a traffic stop Tuesday. The Department of Homeland Security later confirmed he had overstayed a 2019 visa and was living in the US under TPS protections. 

Ohio State Rep. Josh Williams, a Republican, called the incident “deeply troubling” as it raises serious concerns about district oversight. 

“I seriously doubt the school system’s ability to keep our students safe when it can’t even affirm the immigration status or age of this man,” Williams said in a Tuesday statement. “I will be following up very soon with more detailed questions for the school district.”

“When local districts fail this most basic responsibility, you can believe the legislature will get involved,” he added.

Williams pointed to House Bill 42, legislation he introduced to require schools to report immigration data. 

“Before this incident, I introduced HB 42 to require immigration data on student populations—without naming individuals—so communities know how widespread this issue is,” he posted on X Wednesday. “Our schools shouldn’t be forced to give adult illegal immigrants access to our children.” 

Labrador now faces felony forgery charges and is being held on a $50,000 bond. A court appearance is scheduled for May 29.

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