"Don't take me, I have children!": ICE arrests Hispanic mother in court in Los Angeles County.
Key Takeaways
- It has been reported that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested a Hispanic mother outside the Downey immigration court; video circulating online shows agents forcibly detaining her and placing her in an unmarked vehicle.
- California law SB 54 (the California Values Act) restricts local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement at courthouses; the arrest raises questions about federal actions in spaces state law seeks to protect.
- Senator Susan Rubio has proposed SB 882, reportedly to strengthen courthouse protections and expand remote appearances for immigration hearings; advocates say such measures aim to reduce fear that keeps people from attending court.
- The incident underscores widespread community concern: people fear attending immigration hearings, which can lead to missed dates and in‑absentia deportation orders.
What happened
It has been reported that federal ICE agents, masked and in tactical gear, detained a Hispanic woman outside the Downey immigration courthouse in Los Angeles County. Video shared on social media allegedly shows agents forcefully holding the woman against a building, striking her head on brick while handcuffing her, and then placing her into an unmarked vehicle parked in the courthouse lot. Witnesses reportedly recorded her cries — “¡No me lleven, por favor, tengo hijos!” — as bystanders watched but did not intervene.
Legal context: ICE, SB 54, and SB 882
ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is a federal agency that enforces immigration law; federal agents have authority to arrest noncitizens, but state law can limit how local agencies assist. SB 54, the 2017 California Values Act, restricts state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement — including policies to limit immigration operations at courthouses by local agencies — but it does not eliminate federal enforcement powers. It has been reported that Senator Susan Rubio’s SB 882 would more explicitly bar ICE operations at courthouses and expand the option for remote court appearances through the reported end of a presidential second term; proponents say this would reduce risky encounters at sensitive locations.
Human impact and what this means for immigrants
For immigrants and families, the stakes are immediate. People coming to court for removal proceedings — including asylum seekers, individuals with pending relief applications, or family‑based cases — already face long waits and complex procedures; fear of arrest can discourage attendance and increase the risk of losing cases by default. Since operations intensified in the region in mid‑2025, it has been reported that community advocates and lawmakers have pushed for stronger protections so people can access justice without fear. If you are involved in immigration proceedings, contact your attorney, confirm hearing dates and formats, and ask about remote appearance options; lawyers and legal services groups can also advise about safety and remedies when arrests occur outside courthouses.
Source: Original Article