The family said the man who was detained by federal immigration agents in Pomona was released from custody Wednesday, the day after a day of workers were taken into custody during a nearby attack outside Home Depot.
Martin Mazin Leon has owned and operated a barber shop on Holt Avenue, Pomona for nearly 20 years. On April 22, surveillance footage showed Martin arrived at his shop early in the morning.
He leaves the car and opens the gate and approaches him seconds later with a gun depicting the gun, with a van and an SUV surrounding him.
Surveillance video showed Martin Mazinleon was taken into custody on April 22, 2025 by immigrant staff outside a Barber shop in Pomona. On April 24, 2025, there was a press conference with family talking to media outside the Pomona Barber Shop. Pomona outside his barber shop on April 24, 2025 (KTLA)
“They take him to the muzzle and he surrenders,” Martin’s son Miguel Mazin told KTLA’s Shelby Nelson. “I don’t think you need to use a gun. My dad is not a criminal.”
At a press conference Thursday, Martin’s family gathered to share details about his detention. Miguel read it from a letter his father wrote in Spanish.
“I am a husband, father and a small business owner who has lived and worked in California for over 39 years. I built my life here, raised my taxes here, and contributed to the community every year. On the morning of April 22nd, I was detained for over 30 hours without prior notice from a federal agent.
Martin said the ordeal scared him and shocked him. He was later transported to the Indio facility, then El Centro, before arriving at Riverside.
On Wednesday, his family was able to retrieve him after he was released from a riverside court.
Martin said he had been deported earlier in the early 2000s, but he said he had nothing to hide and he was working with authorities on his case.
“The accusations against me are related to immigration issues that were more than 20 years ago,” Martin said. “I want to be clear – I am fully involved in the legal process and I trust that the courts will consider the facts of life I have built here in the United States.”
Martin’s family said there are still many unanswered questions. They believe US customs and border security lies behind the arrest. KTLA has contacted the department and is waiting for confirmation.
However, the agency confirmed that Martin was involved in detention of a group of workers one day outside the Home Depostore the same morning that Martin was taken into custody.
Immigration rights advocates and community members held a demonstration outside the Home Depost Store in Pomona on April 22, 2025, protesting the attack, including the arrest of a group of day workers at the location. (KTLA) Mobile phone video from eyewitnesses showed several unmarked vehicles and vans reportedly belonging to US Customs and Border Protection as agents surrounded the Home Depostore in Pomona and arrested a group of day workers on April 22, 2025. 2025. Immigration rights advocates and community members held a demonstration outside the Home Depost Store in Pomona on April 22, 2025, protesting the attack, including the arrest of a group of day workers at the location. (KTLA) Immigration rights advocates and community members held a demonstration outside the Home Depost Store in Pomona on April 22, 2025, protesting the attack, including the arrest of a group of day workers at the location. (KTLA) Home Depostore in Pomona, California. (KTLA)
Hilton Beckham, deputy commissioner of the US Customs and Border Protection, issued a statement regarding the incident, saying:
“The agent performed surgery in Pomona, targeting illegal aliens with aggressive arrest warrants. During the operation, nine additional illegal aliens were encountered and detained.
In Martin’s case, his family said they are seeking lawyers on what they should prepare to move forward. Martin’s next court date is scheduled for May 29th.
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