With masks at the ready, ICE agents make arrests on first day of California coronavirus lockdown – Los Angeles Times
In the darkness of the early hours Monday, about a dozen immigration agents gathered outside a Starbucks in Bell Gardens.
For the Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, who make daily arrests, it was supposed to be business as usual.
But that morning, they greeted one another with elbows instead of handshakes; the Starbucks where they rendezvoused was only grab and go; and they passed freeway signs that read: Wash your hands stay healthy avoid COVID-19.
The ICE agents were about to spend the day trying to arrest targets on a most unusual of days: the day after the California governor and L.A. mayor ordered people to ramp up their efforts of social distancing over the coronavirus. The agents had N95 respirator masks in their vehicles, just in case.
With safety measures taken across the state, immigrant advocates have criticized ICE for its continued enforcement operations. More than 45 organizations signed a letter this week calling on the Department of Homeland Security to suspend such actions.
ICE said it would take precautions, given the new reality. But the arrests would go on.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs & Border Protection agents advance on a residence during early morning apprehensions in Bell Gardens as more resources are deployed in sanctuary cities.
(Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)
Were out here trying to protect the public by getting these criminal aliens off the street and out of our communities, said David Marin, the director of Enforcement and Removal Operations for ICE in L.A. Asking us to stop doing that basically gives those criminals another opportunity to maybe commit more crimes, to create more victims.
In the parking lot, the group of agents stood in a loose circle not quite six feet apart as they reviewed the target list. That morning, they were searching for four people, including two registered sex offenders.
Among the gathered officers were two U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers identifiable only by a patch on their vest with their agencys name. They were among nine total CBP agents and officers deployed to the L.A. area in the last few weeks to assist ICE in making arrests.
They rattled off the height, weight and daily routines of the people they sought to arrest. Nearly all the targets lived within a one-mile radius. With many schools closed due to coronavirus and some people staying home from work, it was unclear how arrests would go that morning.
We couldnt factor this in, right? This COVID-19 and the precautions that everybodys taking, Marin said. We just have to continue to go with the same game plan that weve been doing.
All of the officers had been issued the protective masks over the past few weeks. In his car, Marin kept packets of hand sanitizer wipes, which hed used that morning to wipe down his steering wheel, his keys and his hands after pumping gas.
Pedro Castillo Bravo sits in a Removal Operations Processing Center in downtown Los Angeles after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents made early morning arrest.
(Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)
Around 5 a.m., the officers waited outside of Pedro Castillo Bravos home. He was convicted in 2015 for DUI causing bodily injury and hit and run.
The officers knew the 56-year-old would soon be heading out to work collecting metal. In less than an hour, they spotted movement in the driveway.
I cant tell if its the target or not, but they got into the target vehicle, an officers voice crackled over the radio. After Castillo prepared to leave, an officer knocked on his car door.
He asked if Castillo was sick or taking medication, to which he said no. He asked him if hed been arrested before and Castillo admitted he had. The officer, who wore a pair of black gloves, handcuffed Castillo and placed him in the back of a white Dodge Challenger.
Since the 2015 conviction, Castillo said, he had not driven again drunk. That morning, after work, he planned to visit the grocery store worried about the lack of food at home and the stores emptying amid panic buying.
Im the head of the house, Castillo said, growing teary eyed. If they have me here locked up, what about rent and food?
Shortly after 6 a.m., the officers were at the next home on Lanto Street, where they looked for a man who had been convicted of sexual battery and sentenced to three years summary probation. When ICE pulled him over, he told them he had a green card.
His crime, Marin said, made him removable. Officers placed the man in the backseat beside Castillo.
As a few officers took the men to be processed, the rest went to door knock in a nearby mobile home park. They were searching for a man convicted of receiving stolen property and conspiracy to commit a crime. Instead, they encountered his wife and two children, both home from school that day because of closures.
Were the only ones here, the mans wife told the officer, allowing him to come inside and look around.
After striking out, the agents circled back to Starbucks for coffee and a bathroom break. Inside, staff were not allowing customers to put their own cream or sugar, to help stop the spread of coronavirus. And the bathroom theyd been waiting for was closed to the public badge or no.
David A. Marin is director of Enforcement and Removal Operations Los Angeles Field Office for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
(Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)
As the officers stood outside, a man approached them to ask if it was true that the sheriff got the coronavirus? The officers said no. Throughout the day, they spotted people wearing masks and others with arms full of toilet paper and paper towels.
Coronavirus has had effects across the agency.
In the building where Marin works downtown, officials have talked about limiting contact with the public. On Tuesdays and Thursdays there are 150 people who cram into a waiting room and line up outside against the wall for check-ins with ICE, some of them arriving every 30 days.
We might have to adjust that and make it 60 or 90 days maybe, to limit their contact, Marin said Well work on that on a case-by-case basis.
Homeland Security Investigations, a branch within Immigration and Customs Enforcement, postponed its citizens academy. Advanced classes at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers have been canceled. Marins meeting with faith-based leaders was canceled.
Over the weekend, Marin sat down with senior leadership to determine which jobs might allow staff to telework. Aside from mission support specialists, that seemed out of the question.
Our job is not a job that you can telework from, Marin said. Processing people or doing check ins with people, that cant be done via telework.
Later that morning, officers waited outside the last house on their list that day. They usually saw their target leave his home between 8:45 and 9. But that morning, they waited an hour and a half and never saw him.
This guys late, Marin said, speculating that hed changed his pattern because of coronavirus.
But the biggest change became clear as Marin drove downtown on the 110 north.
Where is the traffic? he asked.
Continue reading here:
With masks at the ready, ICE agents make arrests on first day of California coronavirus lockdown - Los Angeles Times
- Weight Loss Exercise Program Week 1 [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2011]
- How To Lose Weight + Food Tips -- Losing Weight The Hard Way - Antishay Q [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2011]
- My 40lb Weight loss Before [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2011]
- yoga for weight loss workout (hd) [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- How To Lose Weight Fast and Easy Motivational Weight Loss Speaker Food Addiction Weight Loss Tips [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- Fast Weight Loss Tips [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Quick weight loss workout to help YOU Lose 15 pounds fast [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2011]
- How to Lose Weight with the Amazing Japanese Morning Bana... [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2011]
- How To Lose Weight Fast - Like 20 pounds in 3 weeks! [Last Updated On: May 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2011]
- The Inferno Fat Loss WorkOut: Lose Weight With This Killer Circuit That Burns Flab [Last Updated On: May 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2011]
- The Best Body Weight Quick, Easy Fat Loss Work Out: Body Wonderful [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2011]
- Loss Weight safe [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2011]
- Shocking Weight Loss Transformation! [Last Updated On: June 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 2nd, 2011]
- women's fitness, fat loss, weight loss, organic food, gluten free diet, wellness [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2011]
- best weight loss pill [Last Updated On: June 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2011]
- Weight Loss - The Beginning - Watch Me Shrink [Last Updated On: June 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 14th, 2011]
- WEIGHT LOSS MOTIVATION 148 pounds. 47 pounds lost! [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2011]
- Tips Eat Less Food w/out Hunger [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2011]
- Raw Food Weight Loss Before [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2011]
- Mind Movie - Law of Attraction - Weight Loss for Women [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2011]
- Caralluma Actives - Weight Loss - FREE Offer! [Last Updated On: July 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 4th, 2011]
- SURPRISING key to weight loss (must see!) [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2011]
- Hashimoto's Hair Loss, Weight Gain Reversed-Relief [Last Updated On: July 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 15th, 2011]
- Dr. Nova Law ,Body Magic Ardyss ABC 33/40 News interview [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2011]
- Top 6 Worst Breakfast Foods [Last Updated On: July 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 23rd, 2011]
- Supplement Reviews on YouTube! [Last Updated On: July 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2011]
- How to Use Flax Seed for Weight Loss [Last Updated On: July 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2011]
- Are you training too much or too stressed out to loss weight? Arizona Triathlon Coach Dr Jeff Banas [Last Updated On: July 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2011]
- How to lose weight fast - How I did it! [Last Updated On: August 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2011]
- The Kevin Trudeau Show: 7-12-11 [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2011]
- How to lose weight fast - Slim weight patch review [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2011]
- Raw Food Weight Loss over 125 lbs #1 [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2011]
- Weight Loss Women Before and After Incredible Journey! [Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 23rd, 2011]
- Top 10 Weight Loss Mistakes, How to Lose Weight [Last Updated On: September 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2011]
- The Best Exercise For Abs And Core [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2011]
- Weight Loss Vlog #7 : Back on track [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- 141 in 62 week update to my weight loss journey I'm sick and tired of being FAT [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- RAW FOOD WEIGHT LOSS 101: Whats the best water for a lean, fit, healthy body? #228 [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- How I lost weight [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Getting Succeeded at Weight Loss-Weight Loss Tips for Women. [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- India's 40lb Weight Loss with Before and After Pics! [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Lose weight easy as 1-2-3 ( [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- what i eat during my weight loss journey? part 2 [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Jonah Hill Weight Loss: Star Talks About Being Skinny in Interview (09.22.2011) [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Super weight loss stunts! [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Secrets of weight loss and anti aging 3rd July 2011 Morning Message [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Weight Loss Success Story Weight Loss Before and After Transformation [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Healthy Weight Loss Tips - Nutrition by Natalie [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- LOSE IT: Weigh in - 3.8kg (7.9lb) total loss for Sep! [Sep 29] [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Home made body wrap directions [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Free Weight Loss Hypnosis Video [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- Weight Loss Yoga for Beginners [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- How to Lose Weight at Home for FREE (Diet [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2011]
- Weight Loss Advice - How To Start Losing Weight - Video [Last Updated On: October 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 26th, 2011]
- How to Lose Weight with Water - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- Abraham: NATURAL WEIGHT LOSS - Esther [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- REBOUNDER EXERCISES to LOSE WEIGHT [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- How To Lose Weight In Your Face - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- Best way for girls to lose weight 2011 - Video [Last Updated On: October 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2011]
- How To Lose Weight - Video [Last Updated On: October 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2011]
- Loss Weight Programs - How to Start Losing Weight Right Now - Video [Last Updated On: October 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2011]
- Weight Loss Motivation - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2011]
- My Diet Plan: What To Eat To Lose Weight - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2011]
- How To Enjoy Summer and Lose Weight By Running - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2011]
- Ayurveda Aur Hum - Lose Weight without Dieting - Ayurveda - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2011]
- My reasons to lose weight Part 1 - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2011]
- Lose Weight Get Fit Have Fun Love Yourself The FatNoMoSho! Episode 3 - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2011]
- Dr. Oz - Shed Your Fat For Good - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2011]
- Ayurveda Aur Hum - How to Lose Weight - Obesity Cure - Ayurveda - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2011]
- Ayurveda Aur Hum - How to Lose Weight - Right Diet - Ayurveda - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2011]
- Hello! Update Jan 05, 2011 - Losing Weight The Hard Way - Video [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2011]
- Importance of Eating Several Smaller Meals to Raise Metabolism and to Lose Weight - Video [Last Updated On: November 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2011]
- The Ultimate Fat Loss Pyramid (Part 1): Meal Timing - Video [Last Updated On: November 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2011]
- Women Weight Loss Tips - Foods I Should Eat to Lose Weight Faster - Video [Last Updated On: November 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2011]
- The Easy Way to Lose Weight - Hormonal Balance - Video [Last Updated On: November 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2011]
- Anna Louise Haigh - Wholebeing Weight Loss - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2011]
- Portland Personal Trainer - How to lose weight - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2011]
- Take The Beachbody Challenge And Win Money For Losing Weight - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2011]
- BodyEngine - Lose Weight with Science! - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2011]
- 2. How to LOSE BELLY FAT FAST AND EASY// How to lose weight fast for teenagers men / women - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2011]