Man Detained Outside LA Courthouse Raises Alarm Over ICE Tactics

A man was forcibly taken from outside a Los Angeles courthouse on Wednesday, prompting widespread condemnation from legal representatives and local officials. The incident, captured on video, shows a group of men, one identifying himself as a member of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), carrying the man, who repeatedly cried for help.

The video, obtained by the Los Angeles Times, depicts the man, identified as Steven Reyes, being escorted to an unmarked vehicle with his hands bound behind his back. Witnesses reported that he shouted, “Can you help me, please?” as he was pushed into the back seat of the car. The detaining individuals were dressed in plain clothes, with some wearing masks, raising immediate concerns about the nature of the operation.

ICE and the Department of Homeland Security did not respond to inquiries regarding the specifics of the detention or whether Reyes was in their custody. This incident comes amid reports of increased ICE activity at courthouses, following a change in guidelines under the Trump administration that previously limited such enforcement actions.

Judicial Concerns Raised

The presiding judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Sergio C. Tapia II, issued a critical statement regarding the incident, emphasizing that such operations could undermine trust in the judicial system. “These intimidating and unnecessary displays undermine public trust in the justice system, deter people from seeking justice, and send a dangerous message to immigrant communities that they are not safe to fully and freely participate in the legal process,” Tapia stated.

Reyes was reportedly at the courthouse for a scheduled hearing related to a state felony charge involving illegal drugs. According to court records, he had pleaded not guilty to the charges on July 31 and was released on his own recognizance. The Los Angeles County Alternate Public Defender’s Office, which represents Reyes, did not confirm his identity but expressed outrage over the manner of his detention.

Jenny Cheng, a spokesperson for the office, highlighted the absence of a warrant and the lack of due process in the situation. “It shocks the conscience to see any human violently abducted by a group of mostly masked unidentified individuals,” Cheng said. “Such aggressive ICE abductions threaten the integrity of the court system and discourage participation.”

Broader Implications for Immigrant Communities

Witnesses reported that during the incident, one individual quickly flashed a badge resembling that of Homeland Security Investigations, although the details remained unclear due to the blurry quality of the footage. When questioned about the lack of arrest warrants, the detaining men did not provide a response.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, which is prosecuting Reyes, stated it had no prior knowledge of the detention and emphasized that it could interfere with the judicial process. “Detaining a defendant before the judicial process has concluded interferes with our ability to prosecute cases and is not to the advantage of the pursuit of justice,” the office noted in a statement.

The incident highlights a concerning trend of ICE operations extending beyond traditional enforcement zones, as immigrant rights advocates argue that courthouse arrests disrupt the judicial process and instill fear within immigrant communities. The shift in enforcement practices has been met with resistance from various advocacy groups, who assert that such actions create an environment where individuals are hesitant to engage with the legal system.

As investigations continue into the specifics of Reyes’s detention, the incident raises critical questions about the intersection of immigration enforcement and access to justice, particularly for vulnerable populations.