9 hours ago
'ICE Agent' Pulls Gun on Man Taking Photos of His Car
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Footage shows an ICE officer pulling a gun on a man who took a photo of his car registration number in Pasadena, according an activist Instagram account.
Newsweek has contacted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for comment.
Why It Matters
The video posted by the Stop ICE Mobile Alerts account has sparked concerns about the use of force and conduct of agents during enforcement operations.
ICE is facing increased scrutiny as President Donald Trump directs his administration to remove millions of migrants without legal status as part of a hard-line mass deportation policy. The agency's conduct has been put in the spotlight as growing resistance from immigrant rights groups, legal advocates, and local communities challenges the legality, ethics, and human impact of its operations.
Footage has emerged of a man believed to be an ICE agent pulling a gun on a passerby who appeared to take a photo of the officer's registration number in Pasadena.
Footage has emerged of a man believed to be an ICE agent pulling a gun on a passerby who appeared to take a photo of the officer's registration number in Pasadena.
@BXBABRAT
What To Know
The incident is believed to have taken place Wednesday morning, when federal immigration agents conducted an enforcement operation at a bus stop near Orange Grove Boulevard and Los Robles Avenue. Newsweek has not verified the details.
In the Instagram video, a person is seen appearing to photograph the license plate of a vehicle. The presumed ICE agent jumps out of the car, draws and points his gun directly at the individual taking the photograph. The confrontation is brief. Without making an arrest or offering any explanation, the 'agent' quickly returns to their vehicle. The video ends before the car drives away.
Later in the Instagram video, footage recorded by a woman inside Dena's Burgers, located at the corner of Orange Grove Boulevard and Los Robles Avenue, shows several individuals apparently being led away by at least one masked agent. They are believed to have been taken away in a minivan.
The woman who shot the video, who requested anonymity, told KTLA in Spanish that she recognized one of the men led away and believed he was not involved in any criminal activity. Newsweek has not verified the woman's identity or her claims.
Witnesses later reported that the same group of federal agents returned to the location around 9:30 a.m., although it remains unclear whether additional arrests were made.
What People Are Saying
Stop ICE Mobile Alerts, an account created by open-borders activists with 72,000 followers, said in a post on Instagram: "Plainclothes ICE agent jumps out of his car and draws his gun on a man for trying to photograph his license plate.
"Several people were kidnapped this morning from a bus stop when ICE agents targeted day laborers in front of Dena Burgers in Pasadena.
"Masked plainclothes ICE agents have been spotted throughout the area in unmarked vehicles targeting and kidnapping people off the streets."
The city of Pasadena said in a statement: "The City of Pasadena is aware of multiple reports regarding enforcement activity at various locations in the city this morning. We are actively investigating social media posts, photos, and videos to gain a better understanding of the situation. We want to be clear: Neither the City of Pasadena nor the Pasadena Police Department is involved in the enforcement of federal civil immigration laws. We do not inquire about a person's immigration status when responding to service calls or providing City services.
"Immigration enforcement falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government. State and local governments including the city of Pasadena do not enforce federal immigration laws. Instead, our role as a local government remains focused on serving our local community. We share in the concern and sadness felt across the region in response to recent federal immigration enforcement actions."
