MONTEBELLO, CA — June 16, 2025
Family members and civil rights advocates are demanding urgent answers after federal agents reportedly detained a U.S. citizen during an aggressive immigration raid at a Montebello tow truck business last week. Surveillance video from June 12 shows several armed and masked federal agents storming the property without presenting a warrant, violently detaining workers—many of whom say they were not told who the officers were or why they were being targeted.
One of those detained, 32-year-old Javier Ramirez, a U.S. citizen and single father of two, remains missing as of Monday. According to his relatives, Ramirez has no criminal record and was heard in the video repeatedly informing agents of his citizenship, even pointing to his passport in his pocket. Nevertheless, he was handcuffed and taken into custody. His current whereabouts remain unknown.
Timeline and Witness Accounts
The incident began around midday on Wednesday, June 12. Surveillance footage shows federal agents surrounding the business with weapons drawn. Within moments, they began detaining mechanics and staff, pushing some workers to the ground and handcuffing them without explanation.
A man who was also detained and later released told KTLA’s Ellina Abovian that agents used excessive force despite his efforts to identify himself as a citizen.
“He slammed me to the gate. He put my hands behind my back. I’m an American citizen. You do not do that to Americans,” the man said, choosing to remain anonymous due to safety concerns.
Family Raises Red Flags Over Due Process
Ramirez’s cousin, Nataly Degante, said the agents failed to show identification or any form of warrant before detaining multiple individuals on-site.
“We see in the video that they don’t come with a warrant. They don’t have any documentation in their hands,” she told reporters.
Degante described Ramirez as a hardworking father whose two young children are now without their only guardian.
“They’re not only taking criminals, they are taking our community,” she said.
His brother, Abimael Dominguez, used a phone tracking app to try to follow Javier’s location, but the signal disappeared shortly after the arrest.
“He’s diabetic. I don’t even know if he has insulin yet or if he’s eaten. We don’t know anything,” he said, holding back tears.
Legal and Civic Implications
The raid raises serious constitutional concerns about unlawful detention, lack of warrants, and violations of due process. Legal experts point out that federal agents are required to present legal grounds for detainment, especially when operations involve U.S. citizens on private property.
“If verified, detaining a citizen without cause or due process would constitute a significant violation of Fourth and Fifth Amendment protections,” said Prof. Claudia Reyes, a constitutional law scholar at UCLA. “Even in immigration enforcement contexts, federal agents are not above the law.”
It’s still unclear whether the agents involved were from ICE, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), or another arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Some were reportedly seen wearing uniforms with Border Patrol insignias, but no agency has confirmed involvement or provided an official statement.
KTLA reported that as of Friday afternoon, Homeland Security had not responded to multiple requests for comment.
Growing Community Frustration
The Montebello incident is the latest in a series of questionable immigration enforcement actions across the country, where citizens and legal residents have been mistakenly targeted during raids. According to a 2022 study by the ACLU, at least 35 U.S. citizens were wrongfully detained by immigration authorities over a five-year period.
Local officials and civil rights groups are now calling for an investigation. “We need transparency, accountability, and immediate communication with the families affected,” said Maria Alvarez, director of the Southern California Civil Rights Network.
The man who was detained and later released echoed that sentiment.
“I voted, but not for this,” he said. “There is due process that we must follow. This is not the country I thought I lived in.”
Were you affected by the Montebello raid or do you have information about Javier Ramirez’s status? Share your story or tips in the comments below.
