US citizen arrested during Ice raid in what family describes as 'kidnapping'

[Jilly_in_VA]

A US citizen was arrested during an immigration raid in downtown Los Angeles this week in what her family described as a “kidnapping” by federal immigration agents.

Andrea Velez, 32, had just been dropped off at work by her mother and sister, the pair said, when they saw agents grab her.

“My mom looked at the rear mirror and she saw how my sister was attacked from the back,” Estrella Rosas told ABC7. “She was like: ‘They’re kidnapping your sister.’”

Velez, a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona, was taken into custody during an immigration raid on Tuesday. In video captured from the scene, agents can be seen surrounding her as a crowd gathers in the street and police officers stand by. Meanwhile, Rosas and her mother, who has residency but is not a citizen, screamed from a nearby vehicle for help.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/26/immigration-ice-raid-andrea-velez

Tells you what we've always known---that they only look at the color of their skin!

[Johonny]

1. It is pure racism.

The Trump presidency is disgusting. His voters are awful people. Just awful.

[sop]

2. "Department of Homeland Security told media that she was arrested for assaulting an Ice officer."

All cops are trained to charge their victims with "resisting" and "assaulting an officer" whenever they brutally arrest them for no reason. These illegal arrests are a provocation; an effort to incite further civil unrest that will result in an escalation of government violence.

[dalton99a]

4. +1

[Jilly_in_VA]

5. Yeah, yeah

That's what they all say. I remember that from the '60s. You could be doing nothing and they'd be screaming "Stop resisting" as they were cuffing you. Bastards.

[Martin Eden]

11. When attacked, fight or flight instinct kicks in

Did those who took her first calmly show their ID as legit government employees and explain why they were taking her?

Given that criminals posing as ICE agents have been assaulting victims, fight or flight is an entirely reasonable reaction.

[Clouds Passing]

3. Especially the gqp don't want educated brown people.

Last edited Fri Jun 27, 2025, 08:31 AM - Edit history (1)

[Jilly_in_VA]

6. She was already educated

Graduated from Cal Poly Pomona.

[progressoid]

7. I saw a car yesterday that had written on the bumper "F*CK ICE"

Looked like it was done with a Sharpie.

I gave the driver a thumbs-up.

[KT2000]

8. This begs the question

Since it is illegal to arrest US citizens for immigration violations, is resisting a kidnapping a crime?
Just how far is this allowed to go? We need to ask the republicans because this belongs to them.

[sop]

10. Local police need to "protect and serve" the citizens in their communities, not ignore crimes because cops are MAGA.

Local DAs need to investigate and prosecute what are state crimes being committed in their jurisdictions, not stand idly by while laws are being broken and citizens' rights are violated. Democratic governors and legislatures must pass laws prohibiting this type of "policing" in their states. Clearly, the federal government will do nothing, it's up to local and state authorities.

[Bread and Circuses]

9. ICE is NOT investigating criminal undocumented .....

They’re just driving around Latino neighborhoods and kidnapping brown people .