By John Q. Hosedrinker 
During an immigration raid in downtown Los Angeles, 32-year-old US citizen Andrea Velez was arrested, prompting her family to call it a “kidnapping.” According to witnesses, agents apprehended Velez without asking for identification, leading her mother to believe she was targeted due to her skin color. Despite family members, including attorneys, searching for hours, they were unable to locate Velez. While the exact charges are unknown, a Department of Homeland Security official stated Velez was arrested for assaulting an ICE officer.
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US citizen arrested during Ice raid in what family describes as ‘kidnapping’
The core of this story revolves around a US citizen, Velez, being apprehended during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid, an event that her family, understandably, views as a kidnapping. The incident, captured on video, paints a disturbing picture: ICE agents, some masked, swarming Velez while police officers stand by. Her family’s desperate pleas and the agents’ actions raise serious questions about due process and the rights of American citizens. The emotional impact on the family, as expressed by Rosas through tears, is palpable – a cry for help as they witness their loved one being taken away.
The account of the witnesses further fuels the family’s concerns. Reports indicate that the agents didn’t request identification from Velez, raising concerns that the arrest wasn’t justified. The mother’s statement, “The only thing wrong with her … was the color of her skin,” cuts to the heart of a very valid fear of racial bias, implying that Velez was targeted based on her appearance rather than any legal wrongdoing.
The role of the LAPD, standing alongside ICE during this incident, is particularly unsettling. The question being asked is: when do the police, sworn to serve and protect, intervene when they witness what appears to be the abduction of a US citizen? The video raises serious concerns about the complicity of law enforcement and whether they are acting as protectors of those being targeted, or of those targeting citizens.
The family’s use of the term “kidnapping” appears to be very accurate and understandable, especially as the law enforcement authorities are not asking for identification, in a country where people are heavily armed. The situation sparks debate about the potential for resistance and the legal ramifications for those who might try to intervene. The concern becomes the charges that may be brought against anyone opposing an action like this.
There is a harsh sentiment that many police officers are simply following orders and lack the critical thinking skills to question those orders. This sentiment suggests that a lack of ability to act independently and lack of critical thinking, potentially leading to civil rights violations. This calls for more checks and balances in law enforcement practices, or maybe a completely different approach to dealing with it.
The events described here, and captured on video, are particularly alarming when considering the potential for future incidents. There is a feeling that the current administration is willing to take extreme actions against immigrant communities, which has led to a rise in fear among citizens. The report indicating that ICE has, in the recent past, erroneously deported, arrested, and detained US citizens, only solidifies the fears of many.
The question of “erroneously deported” vs. “illegally exiled” highlights the seriousness of these actions and emphasizes the need for accountability. Some people feel that the events witnessed would be more effectively solved by a harsher punishment in any just society.
The comparisons being made to historical injustices, specifically the Gestapo, reflect the deep-seated fears and mistrust caused by these events. The thought that a US citizen might be subject to such treatment understandably raises questions about whether there are any human rights remaining in the process, and the potential for any legal recourse or help that would be forthcoming. There’s a sense of urgency, questioning what one is supposed to do, and how to know one will be safe.
The fact that ICE has turned deportation into a political nightmare adds another layer of complexity to the situation, affecting even those who may not be directly targeted. The fear that an innocent individual might be subject to arrest is a valid one.
The discussion then focuses on the importance of legal recourse. Any arrest without proper warrant or identification can be correctly labeled as a kidnapping. Some people believe that a change in power can lead to holding those accountable, should the political tide change.
Many feel as if the country is sleepwalking into a type of facism, with the majority of the population seemingly indifferent to such events. This can lead to fear of the unknown.
The claim that Velez was arrested for assaulting an ICE officer, after she tried to stop the raid, raises serious questions about the justification for the arrest. It appears the narrative tries to create a perception that she acted improperly by intervening, which the family disputes. The situation can bring fear that something like this may happen and that there’s no way to prevent it.
The LAPD’s apparent involvement in the arrest is also raising concerns about the role of the police in such operations. Instead of assisting to make the area safe, they are essentially helping the ICE agents perform their duties. The question on many minds is when will the police actually follow the law? The question of when or if Americans will defend themselves or others is on display, along with whether law enforcement actually cares.