On July 8th, two staff members from a surgical clinic in Ontario, California were arrested.
The incident took place at the Ontario Advanced Surgery Centre, where the detained individuals were identified as Jose de Jesus Ortega and Daniel Nadine Davila.
The case involves Dennis Gillen Solis, an undocumented immigrant from Honduras. Reports suggest that Honduran nationals, like Solis, are often elusive during enforcement activities conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A report mentioned that unauthorized immigrants are not typically considered patients in medical establishments.
As ICE agents were performing their duties, they encountered Gillen Solis. Allegedly, he and others vacated their vehicle under police order, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
However, Solis managed to drive away and arrived at a spot close to the medical facility. The staff is accused of assaulting an officer and dragging both Solis and the officer into the building.
According to DHS, “The staff attempted to hinder the arrest by locking doors, obstructing law enforcement, and even contacting others who claimed there was a ‘trick’ going on.”
Video footage captured a confrontation within the facility involving an ICE agent.
Davila is alleged to have physically engaged with the ICE officers on-site, positioning herself between the undocumented individuals and the agents. Additionally, she reportedly urged for the release of the suspects, detailed in a communication from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in California. Ortega is accused of grabbing an officer’s arms and vest.
Further video evidence shows medical personnel surrounding the officers, with one officer asking, “What is your badge number?”
The arrest warrants for Ortega and Davila were approved by U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheri Pym.
The Trump administration has been attempting to address the fallout from former President Biden’s open border policies, which some argue have resulted in chaos within American communities. Recent reports indicate that ICE agents have been criticized and targeted while performing their responsibilities.
Nevertheless, this has not deterred them from their work. Just last weekend, ICE agents apprehended individuals with convictions for serious crimes, including murder and drug offenses.
DHS Deputy Director Tricia McLaughlin commented on the Ontario event, stating that media narratives suggesting that ICE agents were apprehending individuals within the medical facility were misleading. She explained that ICE officials were engaged in a targeted operation when one undocumented immigrant eluded them and approached the Ontario Advanced Surgery Centre. The clinic’s staff, Ortega and Davila, interfered with the agents’ efforts and subsequently face charges.
McLaughlin concluded, “Anyone who obstructs or assaults law enforcement, including U.S. citizens, will face repercussions, including arrests.” DHS confirmed that Ortega has been arrested, while Davila remains at large.
