Cary López Alvarado, a 28-year-old U.S. citizen who is nine months pregnant, was detained by federal immigration agents over the weekend in Hawthorne, California, in a controversial incident that highlights growing concerns over aggressive federal enforcement actions.
According to NBC Los Angeles, López Alvarado told agents during the encounter that she is a U.S. citizen, but was arrested anyway after attempting to stop them from entering a private property where her undocumented husband and his co-worker were working. She said she blocked the entrance, asserting it was private property, and was then forcibly removed by agents.
“I had lost my balance because he was kind of shoving me away from the door,” she said. “That’s when I kind of leaned forward, trying to protect the stomach.”
The incident, parts of which were recorded on video, shows López Alvarado pleading with agents while clearly distressed. After her release, she reported sharp abdominal pain and was taken to the hospital, where she is being monitored ahead of her expected due date next week.
DHS Defends Arrest, Cites Obstruction
In a statement, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said López Alvarado was arrested for obstructing federal law enforcement by blocking access to a car containing two undocumented immigrants, including her husband.
McLaughlin also claimed agents were assaulted during the incident, stating:
“Anyone who actively obstructs or assaults law enforcement, including U.S. citizens, will of course face consequences which include arrest.”
Pattern of Aggressive Tactics Raises Alarms
López Alvarado’s arrest is the latest in a string of highly publicized enforcement actions where U.S. citizens and vulnerable individuals have been detained. Advocates argue these cases show how federal immigration agencies have expanded their operations in ways that often blur legal lines and cause harm, particularly to pregnant women.
Under the Trump administration’s previous term, BuzzFeed News and other outlets reported on pregnant detainees being shackled and denied proper medical care, drawing condemnation from medical and human rights organizations.
“I wasn’t resisting or anything,” López Alvarado said. “I can’t fight back; I’m pregnant.”
Though released the same day, López Alvarado said she has not been given any documents or citations, only a verbal notice that the obstruction allegations remain pending.
Growing Scrutiny
Her case is prompting renewed calls for oversight and reform in how federal agencies conduct immigration enforcement, especially in mixed-status households. The situation also raises questions about accountability and training for agents when dealing with citizens and pregnant individuals.
As the Biden administration faces mounting pressure to balance immigration control with humanitarian concerns, López Alvarado’s story underscores the tension between enforcement and civil liberties — and the deep personal impact these policies can have.
