Pasadena community leader arrested then released after protest

Jose Madera, director of the Pasadena Community Job Center, which has played a vital role in the aftermath of the Eaton fire, was arrested by the Pasadena Police Department (PPD) while driving on Wednesday morning.

Madera was in custody for about an hour. After he was released, he told the media they had been alerted of ICE presence in the area. He started following an ICE vehicle when he was detained by the PPD for apparently crossing a red light and resisting arrest. He was then cited for a traffic violation. 

The word quickly spread and a group of community activists stood outside PPD to protest and demand the release of Madera.

“Shame, shame!” the activists would scream and “Why are your officers working with ICE?”

Pablo Alvarado, director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), which oversees the Pasadena job center, said Madera’s arrest is reprehensible because it happened to one of the community’s most beloved leaders. 

Madera worked for weeks in a row right from the moment the fire in Altadena broke in Jan. 2025. He led dozens of jornaleros at first and then hundreds of volunteers to work on the recovery process after the fires. 

Alvarado said community patrols are very patient and do their voluntary work legally. Very often, these volunteers receive training before going on the streets. 

“We have a reunion coming up with the Pasadena police and the City because what they are doing is incorrect. They are creating a trust deficit,” Alvarado said. 

CALÓ News contacted PPD and is still waiting for a response on the arrest. 

Growing aggressive behavior

At a moment when immigration officers are raiding cities all over the country, local authorities send mixed messages where people don’t know if they are protecting the community or the ICE officers, said Alvarado.

The situation is concerning since many civilians are literally putting their lives at risk. 

The same day Madera was detained by PPD, in Minneapolis, a civilian observer was shot and killed by an ICE officer.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the woman was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The FBI is now investigating. 

Department of Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem said the ICE agent shot in self-defense. Minneapolis's mayor and state officials disagree.

Videos on social media show an officer approaching an SUV in the middle of the road, demanding the driver open the door. The SUV pulls forward and another agent standing towards the front pulls his weapon. He fires as the driver moves forward. 

Alvarado said while these types of situations cause anguish and anger, they also motivate people to protect the most vulnerable.