Brian Gavidia, a 29-year-old American citizen, had a distressing encounter with immigration agents in Montebello, California, last Thursday. Gavidia, who was born and raised in East Los Angeles, was working on West Olympic Boulevard when he was alerted that agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were outside his workplace.
When Gavidia stepped outside, he saw four to six agents wearing vests marked "Border Patrol Federal Agent." One of the agents approached him and immediately questioned his citizenship. Gavidia responded multiple times, “I’m an American citizen,” but the agent continued to press him, pushing him against a metal gate and asking where he was born.
Despite Gavidia’s insistence, the agent demanded to know the name of the hospital where he was born. Gavidia struggled to recall the name in the moment, feeling overwhelmed by the aggressive questioning. In a video recorded by a friend, Gavidia can be seen pleading with the agents, saying, "I’m American, bro!" as they held him against a fence.
His friend, who chose to remain unnamed, narrated the video, pointing out that Gavidia was being targeted solely based on his appearance. Gavidia, who identifies as Latino, expressed his frustration, saying that being questioned because of how he looks was unjust. He eventually provided the agent with his Real ID, but it was not returned to him. The agent also confiscated his phone for about 20 minutes before giving it back.
After the incident, Gavidia reported feeling violated and scared, stating that the experience was the worst of his life. He claimed the agent even drew his weapon during the encounter, intensifying his fear.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) later issued a statement, indicating that they are conducting targeted immigration enforcement in support of ongoing ICE operations in the Los Angeles area. However, when asked about Gavidia’s specific encounter, the agency did not provide further details.
Gavidia’s situation was not isolated. Another friend, Javier Ramirez, was arrested that same day at the same location. Ramirez’s attorney stated that agents entered a private business without a warrant, raising concerns about the legality of their actions.
Montebello Mayor Salvador Melendez expressed his frustration over the incident, noting that it appeared agents were targeting individuals based on their appearance. He emphasized the lack of due process in such encounters, highlighting the fear and uncertainty within the local Latino community.
Gavidia, whose parents are Colombian and Salvadoran, emphasized that he is a legal citizen who works hard and deserves respect. He shared his anger about being treated as a suspect simply because of his background and appearance.
As he continues to process the experience, Gavidia is left without his Real ID, which he was told he would need to replace. This incident has sparked conversations about immigration enforcement practices and the impact they have on American citizens who belong to minority communities.