A video circulating on social media appears to show federal immigration agents tackling a woman and removing her clothing during an arrest outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told Newsweek that the woman had blocked the entrance to a federal facility and refused to comply with officers’ orders.
Why It Matters
The footage highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in California. Enforcement operations in the state often provoke strong public reactions, especially in cities like Los Angeles, the home of large immigrant communities.
California’s policies, which generally prioritize protecting undocumented immigrants from aggressive federal enforcement, contrast sharply with recent increases in raids under the Trump administration's hardline agenda.
What To Know
The footage, filmed on October 4, shows a woman being arrested by a team of DHS agents dressed in all-black tactical gear. The officers are seen wearing helmets and protective vests with “POLICE DHS” visible on their chests.
As the woman resists, the agents move in to restrain her. One officer grabs her arm while another holds her legs. She is brought to the ground as her clothing becomes disheveled during the struggle. Bystanders can be heard shouting, “Stop pulling her clothes off," and “You’re assaulting her right now.”
DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek that the woman had "used her vehicle to obstruct a federal driveway" and "refused multiple orders from federal law enforcement to move the car and refused to provide identification when requested."
According to the social media user who shared the footage on TikTok, a witness said the woman had pulled over to ask for directions when DHS officers quickly intervened, threw her to the ground, and led her away.
The woman who is being detained by federal agents can be heard in the video shouting "you are obstructing my rights" several times.
McLaughlin said officers moved the woman “out of the street and away from the gathering agitators,” adding that "we are not going to allow rioters to obstruct and assault law enforcement.”
DHS said officers told the woman she was under arrest after she refused to comply with their commands.
The agency did not provide a name for the woman nor provide any information surrounding her citizenship or immigration status.
In recent months, federal immigration enforcement has ramped up in California, with increased raids targeting undocumented immigrants. These operations have drawn criticism from immigrant advocacy groups and local officials, who argue that aggressive tactics erode trust between communities and law enforcement.
California’s 'sanctuary' policies, which limit cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration agencies, further complicate enforcement efforts, creating a tense and often publicized standoff between federal officers and local communities.
What People Are Saying
McLaughlin told Newsweek: "She began to actively resist arrest, kicked law enforcement, and sat on the ground."
What Happens Next
The DHS has not released additional details about the woman’s identity or whether she faces any charges.
