Targets of immigration enforcement abuses testify to elected officials at congressional hearing in LA

On Monday morning, a congressional field hearing in Los Angeles examined the unlawful detention of U.S. citizens and civil rights abuses by federal immigration agents. This is the first of several hearings, organized by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, taking place across the country to keep a record of the immigration detentions.

From attorneys and elected officials to activists and community residents, they spoke about the horror and cruelty they have experienced at the hands of federal officers, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Among them was Andrea Velez, who recounted the terrifying experience on June 24 when she was dropped off by her mother near 9th and Main Streets in downtown Los Angeles to go to work.

She was unaware that an ICE operation was happening and in a matter of seconds, a masked man ran towards her and slammed her into the sidewalk, accusing her of interfering.

“When I asked for his badge or why [I was detained] he refused and handcuffed me,” she told the oversight committee. “He didn’t believe I was a U.S. citizen or bothered to check my ID.”

She said another U.S. citizen who was recording the horrifying situation was pepper-sprayed and was struggling to breathe. Until they saw he went into shock, the officers called the ambulance. 

Meanwhile, Velez was shackled inside a van with other people and taken against their will to the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown L.A.

“Inside, I was denied the right to call my family or speak to a lawyer,” she said, adding that ICE refused to disclose her whereabouts, use the restroom or get food. A detainee who was about to leave donated Velez her cup for water since detainees have to buy their cups. 

Since she was prevented from outside contact, it took her family two days to find her. Last month her case was dismissed by the Department of Justice. 

However, she feels traumatized and unsafe as these massive raids continue to happen. 

“I urge [Congress] to hold ICE and other agencies accountable for dehumanizing our Hispanic and immigrant communities,” said Velez, a Cal Poly Pomona graduate. 

Lindsay Tockzylowski, president and co-founder of Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef), said despite the fact that the detention centers’ conditions are deplorable and could be deadly, federal agents are preventing detainees from their basic rights, including outside communication or medical care.

“What we are seeing right now are the most horrific conditions and they are simply designed to get people to give up their cases,” she said. 

Tockzylowski said there are cases of detainees who are in the middle of chemotherapy treatment or people in dialysis who do not have access to bathrooms. 

There are reports of people receiving rotten food, over-crowded conditions of rooms that are meant to house 12 people and currently hold up to 60.

Father Joey Evangelista, with Precious Blood Church near MacArthur Park and St. Kevin Church near Alexandria and Beverly Blvd. in Koreatown, said the attendance at both churches has decreased by about 40-50% since the raids started. At least three of his parishioners have been detained by ICE; one of them during the Fashion District raid in downtown L.A., another one in Huntington Park and the third one in the parking lot of a Home Depot. 

“In one of our parishes on Sundays, we close the gates 15 minutes into mass just in case. This is how afraid we are,” he said. 

CHIRLA Director Angelica Salas said she’s worried as we approach the holiday season because many families will have an empty seat at their tables due to the massive raids.

What’s next

Congressman Robert Garcia, chair of the committee, said that every person in the country has the right to due process regardless of immigration status. Therefore, the committee has launched the Oversight Immigration Enforcement Dashboard, a new tool that documents verified incidents of possible misconduct and abuse during federal immigration enforcement operations under the Trump Administration. 

The incidents are categorized under one or more types of possible misconduct: "concerning use of force," "concerning arrest/detention," "concerning deportation" and an "enforcement action at a sensitive location” like schools, churches or hospitals. 

Incidents involving U.S. Citizens are categorized with a "U.S. Citizen" tag.

Garcia said this tool will hold the administration accountable, including those agents who defy the constitution, violate civil rights and terrorize entire communities. 

“Our Dashboard shines a light on the harmful actions perpetrated against U.S. citizens and immigrants across the country. Oversight Democrats will continue to protect the public and defend our Constitution,” said Garcia.

The Dashboard is not a live tracking system and does not monitor officer movements, reveal private information or put any individual at risk.