US Citizen Wrongfully Detained in ICE Raid Describes Ordeal

Wrongful Arrest During Immigration Raid

• 🇺🇸 Andrea Velez, a U.S. citizen, recounts being wrongfully arrested during an ICE raid in downtown Los Angeles while on her way to work.
• 💥 She describes ICE agents swarming the area, abruptly exiting vehicles, and aggressively chasing people without identifying themselves.
• 🤕 Velez states she was pushed and slammed to the ground by an ICE officer who accused her of interfering, despite her repeated declarations of citizenship.
• 🚗 Despite stating her citizenship and providing her mother's contact information, she was detained, had her belongings taken, and was placed in an ICE vehicle.

Escape and Re-detention

• 🚓 Fearing she was being kidnapped, Velez managed to open the car door and ran towards LAPD officers, believing they would protect her.
• 👮 However, an ICE agent intervened, stating "She's mine," physically picked her up, and returned her to the ICE vehicle.
• 🗣️ She recalls ICE agents discussing the number of people they apprehended that day and referring to her as an "alleged U.S. citizen."

Detention Conditions and Legal Ramifications

• ⛓️ Velez spent two nights in jail, where she experienced difficult conditions, including a lack of beds and having to pay for water and utensils.
• ⚖️ Her attorney, Luis Carrillo, states that the Justice Department later dropped the felony charge of obstructing an officer.
• 🏛️ Carrillo also mentions filing a claim against the federal government, representing multiple U.S. citizens who have allegedly been mistreated during immigration enforcement actions.
• 💔 Velez expresses ongoing fear and challenges, stating she is afraid to go downtown and lives with the daily uncertainty of where and when such roundups might occur.