A filmed arrest on Wednesday outside the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles has stirred outrage among residents and immigrant rights advocates.
In a video shared by LA Public Press and The Los Angeles Times, masked men identifying themselves as ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents detained a man as he exited the courthouse, triggering a wave of criticism from lawyers and migrant rights defenders.
When asked by a witness to identify himself, the man replied, “Steven Reyes.” According to court records reviewed by CNN, a man by that name had been scheduled to appear in court that day on a criminal charge related to possession of drugs with intent to sell. He had pleaded not guilty on July 31 and was released on bail.
Jenny Cheng, spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Deputy Public Defender’s Office, confirmed that the man was represented by their office, but did not confirm whether he was the same Steven Reyes. “These alleged ICE agents, without a warrant or explanation, clearly deprived our client of his liberty without due process,” Cheng said. “It is shocking to see a human being violently taken away by a group of individuals who were mostly masked and unidentified. These aggressive ICE arrests threaten the integrity of the judicial system and discourage participation,” she added.
In the video obtained by LA Public Press and posted on social media, a witness asks the agents if they are with ICE. One of them responds briefly, “yes,” before twice showing a badge resembling one from Homeland Security Investigations. However, the video quality made it impossible to confirm the badge’s authenticity.
When another witness asked whether they had an arrest warrant, none of the agents responded.
CNN reported that it contacted ICE to confirm the man’s identity, his immigration status, whether he is currently in custody, his location, and the exact charges against him. As of now, the federal agency has not responded.
The incident comes at a time when courthouse arrests have become increasingly frequent. Under President Trump’s administration, prior guidelines limiting ICE enforcement in and around courthouses were rescinded.
In a May 2025 statement, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin defended such operations: “The ability for law enforcement to arrest illegal alien criminals in courthouses is just common sense,” she said. “It saves valuable resources because they already know where their target will be. It is also safer for our officers and for the community,” she added.
But immigrant advocacy groups argue this strategy goes too far. It turns courthouses—once considered neutral spaces—into hunting grounds, discouraging many from showing up in court for fear of being arrested, human rights defenders warned.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, which is prosecuting Reyes on the drug charges, clarified that it had “no prior knowledge” of this arrest.
In a statement to CNN, the Los Angeles Attorney General’s Office condemned the ICE agents’ intervention, saying it interferes with local judicial procedures and undermines the fair administration of justice. “Our ultimate goal is to deliver justice for victims and hold criminals accountable. Taking a defendant into custody before the judicial process concludes interferes with our ability to prosecute cases, and it undermines the pursuit of justice.”
As the case fuels a national debate over the limits of ICE’s authority and the protection of fundamental rights, officials have yet to provide a clear answer regarding the circumstances of the arrest or the current status of Steven Reyes.
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Source: CNN, August 15, 2025
