U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended a 21-year-old Colombian national, Michael Steven Arias-Villanueva, in Glendale, California, during an operation that was captured on video. The footage shows the man screaming for his mother while struggling with masked officers, an incident that drew the attention of bystanders who attempted to intervene.
DHS stated that Arias-Villanueva has an extensive criminal history, including charges for burglary, grand theft, organized retail theft, theft, receiving stolen property, conspiracy to commit a crime, and driving without a license. According to DHS, he resisted arrest and refused to comply with lawful commands during the operation, which occurred on a Wednesday morning in the 400 block of West Glenoaks Boulevard.
ICE records indicate Arias-Villanueva is currently being held at the Desert View ICE facility in Adelanto, California. The Department of Homeland Security reported that Border Patrol had encountered Arias-Villanueva near El Paso, Texas, on January 11, 2024, and that he was subsequently released into the U.S. by the Biden administration. He is being held pending removal proceedings.
A witness at the scene, Girik Issaian, described the incident as heartbreaking, stating he was unable to help the young man who was begging for assistance. A street photographer who recorded the arrest commented on social media, urging others to listen to the man's cries.
An entry on the website stopice.net, which posts the locations and times of ICE operations, warned of an "ice kidnapping" in the area where Arias-Villanueva was arrested.
Immigration operations in Southern California have been met with condemnation from local officials and immigration advocates. In the previous month, federal immigration agents detained at least 11 people during raids in Santa Barbara, including three mariachi musicians.