South LA Couple Arrested for Blocking Immigration Agents with Cars

Federal charges have been brought against a couple from South LA who are said to have tried to block immigration officers during an operation on February 28.

From above, video from that day shows groups of people protesting while immigration agents search homes all over Los Angeles. The DOJ says that Gustavo Torres, 28, and Kiara Jaime-Flores, 34, chased and blocked immigration officers in their car during the operation.

People who fight for immigrant rights called their arrests “intimidation.”

“We know that throughout the history of this country anyone that has stood up for racial justice, social justice has been a target,” Ron Gochez said.

The Union del Barrio includes Gochez, who works as a high school teacher. The group goes to immigration raids to warn people in the neighbourhood and let them know what their rights are.

We don’t get in the way. “We don’t get in the way,” Gochez said. “We do everything legally but its not above the Trump administration to lie.”

Documents from court explained why Torres blocked the federal agents during an interview for the probe.

The DOJ says Torres said, “We thought it would be a good idea.” “If it was immigration, they were taking someone’s family member without a good reason.” For me and my girlfriend, the first thing that came to mind was to stop the cars.

The couple is being charged with planning to hurt or block police officers. They could get up to six years in federal jail if found guilty.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said last week that they arrested 239 people who were in the country illegally. ICE revealed pictures of four suspects who are being held on suspicion of serious crimes like manslaughter, aggravated rape, and vehicle theft.