The video was apparently a federal agent chasing workers through a car wash in Downey on Wednesday morning in an immigration enforcement work in which two employees were detained, the business owner said.
Witnesses said there was no warning before tactical equipment agents entered the car wash and immediately chased the workers. Security camera video provided to NBCLA showed two men walking through a line of bushes into the car wash.
A few seconds later, you can see one of the agents running towards the employee. Some of them can be seen escaping on the far sidewalk. At least one employee was chased across the car park and across the street.
“They grabbed one man from here and then another,” witness Rick Reyes said.
The owner of the Galaxy Car Wash told NBCLA that the business will close the business for several days due to fears of federal agents returning.
The NBCLA contacted federal authorities about activities seen in the video.
According to the Clean Car Wash Worker Center, the attack was one of at least 20 people in Los Angeles County recently. The agency defending car wash workers said another execution work was reported Sunday in a car wash in Culver City.
The girl, who said her father was taken into custody in the attack on Culver City, spoke with reporters Wednesday. Jaslin said her father, an undocumented immigrant, was taken into custody hours before her high school graduation ceremony.
“I wish his dad could just go home safely and he could see his little girl graduate,” Jaslin said.
A Westchester car wash worker who asked not to be identified said he feared enforcement activities but needed to continue working to support his family. He shared a video with NBCLA, which appears to indicate that federal agents are asking employee questions.
The man said the agent had detained some of his colleagues a few days ago.
The operation appeared to be one of several of Downey, a community about 15 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. Federal agents carried out immigration operations at LA Fitness Home Depot and outside of the Church of Enduring Help Our Lady and Downey Memorial Christian Church, Councillor Mario Trujillo said.
Rev. Alfredoropez, pastor of Downey Memorial Christian Church, said at a press conference Wednesday that he saw the man outside the church’s parking lot surrounded by immigration agents.
The immigration enforcement project is part of President Trump’s massive deportation program and is a central focus of the presidential election. Recent work in Southern California led to protests in Los Angeles, where President Trump has revitalized National Guard members and 700 Marines with federal property in the city’s security forces, urging local and state officials to do so.
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