Latino Citizens Arrested in Immigration Raids: Racial Profiling Alleged

• Protests over discriminatory immigration raids
• Calls for respect for Latino citizenship
• Civil rights at stake

Immigration raids in Los Angeles have sparked controversy over the arrest of U.S. citizens of Latino origin, triggering protests, harsh criticism, and allegations of racial profiling by ICE.

Mass Protests Against ICE and Controversial Arrests

Why it matters

Federal operations have affected people born in the United States, including a pregnant woman who was shackled and later released from a detention center in pain, which led to a premature birth.

Activists, attorneys, and entire communities allege that skin color and language are being used as justification to detain citizens—even when they present identification.

The Case of Cary López

Cary López Alvarado, a U.S. citizen and nine months pregnant, was arrested on June 8 in Hawthorne by masked federal immigration agents.

She was with her partner Brayan Nájera and her cousin Alberto Sandoval, both also U.S. citizens.

Despite showing documents, all three were taken to a Border Patrol processing center.

López told KTLA:

“They said, ‘But you’re from Mexico, right?’ And I replied, ‘No, I’m from here.’ Then they asked… ‘Where is here?’ And I said, ‘Here, in the United States, in Los Angeles.’”

She was shackled by both hands and feet.

The pressure of the chains on her abdomen caused pain.

Four days later, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl in a hospital.

The baby has yet to meet her father, who was arrested by immigration agents and sent to a detention center in Texas.

Her attorney, Luis Carrillo, told EFE:

“This excessive use of force by federal agents was completely unnecessary and could have caused a miscarriage due to the stress of the incident.”

More Complaints from the Community Over Racial Profiling

Angélica Salas, director of CHIRLA, raised alarm about a pattern of unjust ICE arrests:

“This is chaos. U.S. citizens are being detained and disappeared because of their skin color.”

Similar incidents have occurred during the 60-day operation announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

In Pico Rivera, nearly a thousand people protested the detention of Adrián Andrew Martínez, a young Walmart worker.

Videos show him being grabbed by the neck by an officer and thrown to the ground, while witnesses shouted that he was a U.S. citizen.

Steve Carmona, city manager of Pico Rivera, stated:

“I was very concerned about what was happening to residents during the immigration raids.”

The Viral Arrest in Montebello

Javier Ramírez was detained in front of his business in Montebello, despite showing documentation:

“I have my passport! I have my ID! I’m a U.S. citizen!” he shouted, as seen in the viral video of the incident.

You may also like: ICE Requests Journalist Mario Guevara Be Held in Jail After Covering Immigration Protest in Atlanta

Ramírez and one of his employees were arrested by immigration agents.

ICE claims the arrests were due to obstruction of their operations.

But the individuals affected and their defenders see it as a violation of civil rights, which they are denouncing in their protests.

Growing Outcry for Justice and Civil Rights

The increasing number of testimonies, videos, and protests surrounding these raids has raised serious concerns about discriminatory practices in immigration enforcement.

While ICE insists it acts under legal protocols, Latino communities are demanding justice, transparency, and guarantees that citizenship will not be disregarded simply because someone speaks Spanish or has a Latino surname.

The debate is no longer just about immigration—it’s about civil rights on U.S. soil.

Do you think authorities should halt operations if Latino citizens are being arrested because of their appearance?

SOURCE: EFE