A video has surfaced revealing that masked federal immigration agents targeted a church member during a charity food drive in Los Angeles, causing outrage among parishioners.
On Thursday, church members reported that officers approached the parking lot of the North Hills United Methodist Church Hispanic Mission, attempting to detain taco vendor Carlos Chavez Guzman.
Footage from the scene captures Chavez-Guzman, donned in an apron and being supported by a child, attempting to escape while yelling, “Run, run!”
In the video, a bystander questions the agents, asking, “He’s a nice guy, why would he do this?”
The church stated that they felt “ambushed” during the operation.
“They rushed through the parking lot while our food ministry was taking place,” the church expressed in a statement. “Our food service represents God’s love for those in need, and because of ICE’s reckless actions, we are left with no choice but to halt our food service.”
The pastor indicated that other congregants sought refuge inside the church.
“I feel that my divine right to worship and serve the Lord Jesus Christ has been violated,” Pastor Irvin Adin Aguilon shared during a news conference. “My heart is broken… This is where I worship the Lord, and I am devastated.”
Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, however, noted that Chavez-Guzmán was in the U.S. illegally, having been deported in 2016.
“Chavez Guzman chose to flee from law enforcement, which is a federal crime, leading to a foot pursuit prior to his arrest,” McLaughlin stated, adding that the operation also resulted in the capture of two individuals from Mexico who broke immigration laws.
Chavez Guzman’s wife, Maribel González Gatica, revealed that he has since been deported back to Mexico. The couple has four children, as mentioned in a GoFundMe campaign.
The Department of Homeland Security has not provided any comments regarding the incident.
