Introduction to the Incident
A U.S. citizen who is nine months pregnant was hospitalized upon her release from immigration custody after she was detained by federal agents in Hawthorne on Sunday. Cary Lopez has been experiencing sharp pains in her stomach after immigration agents arrested her, despite being a United States citizen. She said the federal agents accused her of obstructing the arrest of her undocumented husband.
The Confrontation
“They had us all surrounded,” she said. The confrontation, which took place near the intersection of 120th Street and Hawthorne Way, was caught on camera. In the video, agents who hid their faces with masks and sunglasses and traveled in marked border patrol vehicles, are informed they were on private property.
“Excuse me, ma’am, listen to me, you are interfering with my arrest,” the agent said. “I am doing my job. You don’t have no say to say, you don’t have nothing to say.” Lopez is then heard informing that they were on private property, and she asked them to leave. According to Lopez, the agents accused her of trying to obstruct their operation.
Details of the Arrest
“I was blocking the doors because they were trying to forcibly open them, but I told them they were on private property,” the woman said. At the time, Lopez was with her husband and his coworker – both of whom are undocumented. The confrontation happened when they tried to pull into the building of their workplace. Ultimately, agents arrested Lopez, her husband, his coworker and her cousin. “I had lost my balance because he was kind of shoving me away from the door,” a tearful Lopez said. “That’s when I kind of leaned forward, trying to protect the stomach.”
Aftermath and Health Concerns
Lopez’s due date wasn’t for another week, but after her experience, her doctors have been monitoring her well-being as well as that of her baby. “I wasn’t resisting or anything,” she said. “I can’t fight back; I’m pregnant.” Lopez was told agents would be in contact with her about their allegations of obstruction. She said she wasn’t given any documents or citations in connection with the arrest.
Response from Authorities
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not returned NBC4’s request for comment. This lack of response has raised concerns about the handling of the situation and the treatment of Lopez during her detention.
Conclusion
The detention of a pregnant U.S. citizen by ICE in Hawthorne has raised serious concerns about the use of force and the treatment of individuals, particularly those in vulnerable conditions. The incident highlights the need for transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies, especially when dealing with sensitive situations involving pregnant women and U.S. citizens.
FAQs
- Q: What was the reason for Cary Lopez’s detention?
A: Lopez was detained by ICE agents who accused her of obstructing the arrest of her undocumented husband. - Q: Was Lopez given any documents or citations?
A: No, according to Lopez, she wasn’t given any documents or citations in connection with the arrest. - Q: How has the U.S. Department of Homeland Security responded to the incident?
A: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not returned requests for comment on the incident. - Q: What health concerns has Lopez experienced following her detention?
A: Lopez has been experiencing sharp pains in her stomach and is being monitored by her doctors, along with the well-being of her baby, as her due date approaches. - Q: What actions were taken against Lopez’s husband and his coworker?
A: Both Lopez’s husband and his coworker, who are undocumented, were arrested by the ICE agents during the confrontation.
