Masked ICE Raids Spark Wave of Fear and a New Law in California

• Masked ICE Raids: Masked immigration agents operating
• Violent arrest causes public outrage
• New law proposed to identify officers

A new bill proposed in California seeks to curb violent immigration raids that have sparked outrage in Los Angeles.

The catalyst was the arrest of Narciso Barranco, a 48-year-old Mexican gardener, who was taken down by masked, unmarked agents, pepper-sprayed, and had his shoulder dislocated.

The incident occurred in Santa Ana during the third consecutive week of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the greater metropolitan area.

Footage of the arrest went viral on social media, sparking outrage and fueling accusations of excessive force.

Immigration raids stir fear and public outrage

Barranco is the father of three U.S. citizens—two of whom are currently serving in the Marine Corps.

«I don’t think it was fair, I don’t think it was just,» said his son Alejandro Barranco to the Los Angeles Times.

«I don’t think it takes four guys over 200 pounds to pin down someone who’s 150 pounds,» he added.

In response to the uproar, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the video, claiming the agents were defending themselves because the detainee was holding a leaf blower.

Witnesses disputed that account, saying Narciso only ran with the tool out of fear upon seeing masked men approaching.

Another shocking incident occurred on June 19 in Pacoima, when Matilde, a tamale vendor, fainted after being confronted by agents during an immigration raid.

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Video shows the woman lying on the ground in a parking lot without receiving assistance—until a citizen called emergency services.

One witness reported on social media that the agents tried to load her into an unmarked vehicle, dragging and striking her when they couldn’t lift her.

Matilde’s daughter, Diana Álvarez, wrote on GoFundMe that her mother was “thrown to the ground” even though she was cooperating with the officers.

Matilde, who has sold tamales in the same spot for a decade, was hospitalized and may require heart surgery.

Activists and lawmakers are demanding transparency and accountability, arguing that the anonymity of ICE agents during raids prevents any legal recourse.

DHS defends the agents’ anonymity, claiming they could become targets for criminals.

State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez introduced legislation that would require agents to show identification during any planned immigration raid.

It would also ban bounty hunters from conducting immigration arrests without authorization or regulation.

“In a normal world, this legislation would be unnecessary and unheard of,” Pérez said at a press conference.

“But we live in extraordinary times, and we must protect Californians from the fear of law enforcement impersonation,” she added.

The senator criticized the recent immigration raids as falling short of legal standards and resembling covert operations.

“We’ve seen weapons pointed at civilians and people being taken off the streets and from workplaces by masked individuals in plain clothes and unmarked vehicles,” she stressed.

“This causes massive confusion, fear, and mistrust,” she concluded.

The proposed bill could mark a turning point in how immigration operations are conducted in the state.

The immigrant community hopes fear won’t be the only response this time.

Do you think all agents should be required to show identification during an immigration operation?

SOURCE: EFE