Undocumented Immigrant Receives Certificate for Community Efforts
An undocumented immigrant, who had previously been charged for colliding his vehicle with a federal car during a police chase, has been awarded a “Certificate of Commendation” by the City of Los Angeles for his work against deportation.
Los Angeles City Council member Karen de Mille Price presented the award to Carlitos Ricardo Parias, who maintains a presence on TikTok under the name “Richard LA,” sharing updates on suspected ICE activities in his neighborhood. This was confirmed in a report from The Associated Press related to Parias’ arrest at an immigration station recently.
Carlitos Ricardo Parias, 44, an illegal immigrant from Mexico who lives in South Los Angeles, is currently facing criminal charges for assaulting a federal officer. He is scheduled to make his first appearance tomorrow at the Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles, and… pic.twitter.com/rF6Cxum0MY
— Deputy U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) October 22, 2025
The certificate praises Parias for his “unwavering commitment” to educating and protecting the South Los Angeles community. According to the document, his relentless work to safeguard neighborhoods from unlawful activities demonstrates a profound dedication to the safety and welfare of Los Angeles residents.
During a confrontation in South Los Angeles, Parias reportedly drove his vehicle erratically, hitting two law enforcement cars, which raised safety concerns among federal agents. He currently faces charges related to the assault of a federal officer.
As a Mexican immigrant, Parias had managed to evade immigration enforcement prior to this incident, according to the Justice Department.
His attorney, Carlos Jurado, has not provided comments regarding the matter but had mentioned that Parias is generally calm and well-regarded within the community. “Many police officers recognize him as polite,” Jurado said after Parias’s arrest. He noted that Parias has even received a community award, which makes the accusations against him seem peculiar.
Reports from the Justice Department indicate that Parias attempted to maneuver his vehicle aggressively between two federal cars, causing smoke and debris due to his frantic efforts. There were worries about potential injury to the vehicles involved.
During this encounter, an armed federal agent reportedly fired shots, injuring Parias and another individual due to ricocheting bullets.
Supporters assert that Parias plays a positive role in his community especially as ICE conducts operations throughout Los Angeles. Price’s office described him as an “admired citizen journalist,” engaging in this work with love and bravery.
