Federal immigration agents stop, question two LA County employees at Whittier Narrows park
Two Latino Los Angeles County employees were physically assaulted and racially profiled by federal immigration agents on Wednesday, Jan. 14 while on duty at Whittier Narrows Recreation Area in South El Monte, Supervisor Hilda Solis reported.
The two workers, whose names were not released, are employees of the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation, said Solis, whose first district includes the park and a majority of the San Gabriel Valley.
The two were not detained or arrested, Solis’ office reported. They were stopped and questioned by federal immigration agents at the popular park which was open to the public at the time, Solis said. Other staff members said the two were assaulted.
“This morning, ICE (Immigration, Customs and Enforcement) agents allegedly racially profiled and physically assaulted two Latino Los Angeles County Parks staff at Whittier Narrows Recreation Area,” said Solis in a written statement. The supervisor said the two employees were wearing LA County uniforms, driving county vehicles and clearly identifying themselves as county personnel.
She said they were questioned by the federal agents about their citizenship status.
“This action is completely unacceptable and violates the constitutional rights of U.S. citizens,” said Solis.
“The Trump administration continues to use fear and intimidation to target our communities of color and working families. In fact, there are several reports today of ICE targeting and detaining landscapers, roofers, and construction workers — hardworking people simply trying to earn an honest living,” she said in the statement.
The incident comes a day after the Board of Supervisors, led by Solis and Third District Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, brought a motion forward that was approved by the five-member board to draw up a county ordinance barring ICE from county parks, county-owned and county-operated land and property for immigrant enforcement operations or staging of immigration raids by federal agents.
The immigration round-up began in June in Southern California, resulting in raids throughout the county of Latino workers at car washes, Home Depots, restaurants and parks. The Trump administration says they are only rounding up criminals who are undocumented. Many statistical reports by nonprofit agencies say about three-quarters of those detained or arrested have no criminal records.
On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, spoke to the Congress of a report involving the testimony of 22 U.S. citizens in 10 states who were assaulted by ICE agents, detained and injured by federal immigration agents.
“We are seeing a surge of violence in this country from this proposed law enforcement, ICE,” he said.
Solis said, “Make no mistake: Los Angeles County will continue to protect all our employees, our residents, and our public spaces. I will continue to act to hold this administration accountable for its complete disregard of our Constitution and our democracy.”
ICE media did not respond to a request for comment. “We have received your inquiry and are working on it,” wrote Monica Yoas, public affairs officer for ICE.
The expansive, 1,492-acre county park, which features several lakes, fishing areas, playgrounds and picnic sites is located at 750 S Santa Anita Ave., South El Monte.