Huntington Park Mayor Arturo Flores has issued a statement, denounced what is known as “mask aidductions” amid immigrant raids throughout Los Angeles County, and denounced police for instructing them to intervene in illegal or fraudulent operations.
“These are not legal arrests. They are aidulations,” Mayor Flores said. “For over a week, we witnessed families torn apart, children leaving without parents, and residents disappearing without explanation. We put on tactical equipment and operated unmarked vehicles without showing qualifications or agency affiliation, infiltrating our neighborhoods in direct violation of the basic principles of value, civil rights and justice in our community.”
The attack on the Huntington Park home in attendance last week by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Christy Noem, sparked anger in the community. The agency said federal immigration agents were targeting men with criminal history inside their homes, but it was occupied by four 28-year-old pregnant mothers when around half a dozen strongly armed vehicles converged in their homes.
Ice Agent and Noem eventually leave the house empty-handed, and the kids return inside. However, the mayor said this was not the only raid reported at Huntington Park, and in other cases federal agents are seen hiding their faces and driving unmarked vehicles.
Flores said he received reports of an unidentified individual in the masks that were accusing residents of the day. “These actions sparked rumors of rogue vigilantes and bounty hunters operating under the guise of federal enforcement, causing widespread fear and confusion throughout the community.”
The message also comes the day after he saw protesters facing a masked man from Bell in the neighbouring southeastern LA city. Several people were taken into custody and a large crowd continued to move to unmarked vehicles.
“This is not immigration enforcement. It is a threat of national approval,” Flores said. “I am asking for an immediate halt of these attacks and the Huntington Park Police Department to begin verifying the identity and authority of individuals carrying out such operations within city restrictions.”
The statement shared that the mayor formally directed police to enforce laws relating to unmarked vehicles, visible license plates and necessary agencies. “He is urging law enforcement to investigate and intervene in unauthorized businesses that put public safety and civil liberties at risk,” the message continued.
“We cannot allow Wild West Style Bounty Hunter tactics to unchecked on our streets,” Mayor Flores said. “Our residents deserve to know who is in their neighborhood and under what authority they are operating. It is not reckless to allow unidentified and unverified parties to engage in powerful detention. It is dangerous and corrupted by the rule of law.”
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