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ICE Raids L.A. Home for Drugs; Finding None, Agents Allegedly Beat Up Bonilla Family, Try to Deport Them

Categories: Drugs, Immigration

bonilla.jpg
CHIRLA
Mrs. Bonilla says she can no longer sleep at night.
In ICE's response, officials refuse to say whether drugs were found at the residence -- but do admit that all undocumented family members are now involved in deportation proceedings. Full statement, after the jump.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids are sudden, devastating -- yet over in a flash, and difficult to trace. A Twitter scare last month set Union Station a-scatter at the mere suggestion that feds were checking IDs. Still, in the hours after, no one could say what happened, or if ICE had really been there at all.

But a more personal raid on July 19 is getting a public airing -- and it looks to directly contradict ICE Director John Morton's recent promise that agents should use "prosecutorial discretion" in deciding who to target/deport.

An emotional press release from the Coalition for Humane Immigration Rights of Los Angeles today paints the troop of L.A. agents behind the raid as complete monsters:

On July 19, 2011, Mrs. Bonilla and her daughter-in-law were busy at the kitchen cooking, waiting for their husbands to return from work. It was not to be a typical day, however. In minutes, their lives, and that of seven other family members in the household, were literally turned upside down by 40 armed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) agents who invaded the house looking for drug traffickers and drugs.

At the end of the ordeal, Mrs. Bonilla and her family, including a two-year old and a 17-year old, had been kicked, beaten, scratched, yelled at, and terrorized by ICE agents who demanded she tell them all about the drugs. Although Mrs. Bonilla and other family members tried in vain to convince the agents they were making a big mistake, their objections were categorically ignored; instead, the family was threatened, handcuffed, and ordered to lay on the floor, face down, with guns pointed at their heads. Mrs. Bonilla suffered bruises and scratches during the arrest.

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CHIRLA
The Bonillas' home was turned upside down.
The family's ace immigration lawyer, Jessica Dominguez, insists her clients had no trace of drugs or traffickers within their home. She'll be representing them in court on Tuesday, versus "ICE officers who seek to deport them" after the unsuccessful raid.

We've contacted ICE for confirmation. But if what the Bonillas say is true, their home-invasion nightmare represents everything wrong with U.S. immigration policy: Anyone who law enforcement finds the least bit suspicious, for reasons unspecified, or who officials mistake for that other Cholo down the street slanging trees, can -- once they're in custody -- be subjected to losing their home and livelihood in the U.S.

"We have seen and heard far too often this type of abuse where innocent men and women are terrorized by ICE agents gone rogue," Angelica Salas, CHIRLA executive director, says in the presser. "... It seems to us that what ICE agents decide on the street has nothing to do with what is right and fair."

And even if these agents just made an innocent mistake on July 19, one (allegedly) drug-free family shouldn't have to pay for it with welts, deportation proceedings and life in a constant terror-state of paranoia.

Update: Here is ICE's response to the allegations.

Agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) went to the residence on Corona Avenue in Norco, Calif., Tuesday (July 19) to execute a search warrant related to a federal drug-trafficking investigation. Because that probe is continuing, the search warrant remains under seal, so we are not at liberty to release additional details about the criminal case at this time. However, the charges made by the home's residents about the HSI agents' actions during the court-authorized search have been referred to ICE's Office of Professional Responsibility for further investigation. ICE holds its officers to the highest standards of professional conduct. All allegations of this nature will be thoroughly investigated and, if corroborated, appropriate action will be taken.

On background:

During the course of executing the criminal search warrant, HSI agents determined that eight of the home's occupants were in the country illegally. Four adult males were taken into custody at the scene and placed in removal proceedings. For humanitarian reasons, the remaining four individuals encountered in the home were given letters instructing them to report to ICE at a later date for processing. It will be up to an immigration judge to determine whether these individuals have a legal basis to remain in the United States.

[@simone_electra/swilson@laweekly.com]

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16 comments
Norco Addiction
Norco Addiction

. The agents were searching for “Robert” an alleged drug dealer, but ended ...whether they find them or not, have often rounded up entire families for ... Even though theBonilla family members do not have criminal ... by the Sheriff of Los Angeles, where immigrants rounded up in raids ..

Blue
Blue

WHat an ingorant, pathetic article.  FIrst off, the agents were there as part of a drug investigation, not some witch hunt loooking for illegal (undocumented) aliens. Second, no right-mided agent pr offcer would bust into a house without a search warrant. No agent, cop etc etc would take the risk of being sued for violating someones civil rights unless they had a search warrant to do so.  Third, the agents HAD A LEGAL RIGHT TO ENTER THE HOUSE based on the fact they had a search warrant.  Period.  A judge needs to review there is probable cause that there is evidence of a crime in a residence or business before the warrant is signed and authorization is given to law enforcement officers to enter the residence.

PEOPLE GET A CLUE!

THe author of this article should be ashamed of themselves trying to stir up rhetoric by speaking on emotion and playing to the emotions of those on the liberal left...

Mtnman42
Mtnman42

Most people do not understand how DIFFICULT it is to get a search warrant. An agent basically has to lay out the entire case to the judge before the judge (an elected official) will approve the search. I will admit sometimes mistakes are made, but it is rare. If a search is done and nothing is found, it is usually because the process to get the warrant took so long that the drug smugglers have already moved to an alternate location. 

Truth Lives
Truth Lives

No matter the neighborhood, the feds use military tactics - no matter the suspect.

Law enforcement lose their good guy luster when they terrorize, imho, justifying their actions by asserting that they're protecting the innocent and upholding the rule of law.

The War on Drugs is a domestic War on People, plain and simple.

Harm reduction should be the aim, but little to no efforts are made in that direction. It's not glamorous or violent, to help someone who's down on their luck, has an addiction, seemingly unsurmountable problems, or just likes to get high.

Irony is that if drugs were legalized and taxed, there wouldn't be a budget problem, especially at the DEA. There would still be plenty for them to do, and they wouldn't have to use their seizure-informant system, which relies on deception and deceit to generate leads -- sometimes, bad ones...like in the post above.

Defund ICE. Defund the DEA.

Anne Mitchell
Anne Mitchell

 Nine people in one house,No English Speak;boiler-plate illegals.Five bucks says the children are anchors that are ridin' the govt. gravy train with WIC/Medicaid/food stamps.Add in junk cars parked in the yard and mounds of garbage.

James Peron
James Peron

Typical of drug warriors to raid the wrong place and then inflict pain and suffering on people who were hurting no one. If they had a dog it probably would have been shot.

Happycow_m00
Happycow_m00

Here is the thing if we as people turn a blind eye to what is becoming a terror squad and quite possible a death squad in this Country justify beatings, lynchings and murder under the cloak of OH THEY ARE ILLEGAL THEY DESERVE THIS! then who is going to defend you when the police state come knocking on your door. HUMANS!!! PERIOD NO EXCUSES FOR THIS otherwise we need to shut our trap up when it comes to human rights violations in China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Cuba, Russia, Venezuela, North Korean. That makes us worst then they are because at least they don't deny what they do and we here are the biggest hypocrites. No person on this planet deserves this kind of treatment over a suspicion or allegation. NO ONE!!!! Federal Immigration Centers are modern day concentration camps disguised under the cloak of enforcing immigration laws. If you want to deport illegal people go ahead but take them in and send them out without wasting court proceedings and making criminals out of non-criminals.  If we in all honesty feel this is correct then we are not a nation of God fearing people nor are we a Nation of Good. We are vengeful hateful and prejudice no different then the Taliban. 

Whiplash33
Whiplash33

aaaaaaahhhhh go fuk your self puto.i would of shot them for tresspass without a warrant.i give damn if they're the law cause i'll do the same to their families and show no mercy,remorse, and regret.end of sentence.

drops1
drops1

Story: Excellent reporting, the more and more i hear about ICE,the most and more i dislike their actions.

Whats up with the 'she can no longer sleep at night"seems a bit blah...

Dave Francis
Dave Francis

Arethe lawmakers going to remaindumb like rows of Headhunters trophies with their lips stitchedtogether onreducing illegal migrants and immigrants? Just one presidentialcandidate hasthe backbone to stand up against political propaganda, having theconviction toaddress this monolithic problem. That personage is Rep. MicheleBachmann,Caucus leader of the TEA PARTY and the only one who dares to establishaconnection between the rapidly rising Treasury debt ceiling and theevermoresupport of the illegal aliens, who are congested schools, health careand millionsof inroads to free programs, enacted by Liberals on Capitol hill. We asa country by keep on giving Citizens-legal residents entitlements tothe invaders, will seed even more to come here.

The most progressive enforcement in 30 years will soon be debated in Washingtonand that is Chairman Lamar Smith's 'Legal Workforce Act', known as H.R.2164.Known nationwide as E-Verify to the business community and the general public equally,it must be enacted as a mandatory measure. This is a SELF-DEPORT MECHANISM FOR ILLEGAL WORKERS, that is simple, electronic and with no cost to the business world.  Ofcourse like anything else, the Leftistadvocacy groups have tried to tear it apart, but mostly to no avail.Originally, when it came up for a vote over a year ago, good oldSenator HarryReid nearly got it tabled, but it squeezed through to the dismay of allhis bigcorporate contributors and that was when the American public paidattention toit as a deterrent. Smith’s new law would reinstate the no-match letterprogram to help identify the 7 million illegal aliens currently holdingnon-agriculture jobs. Yes! There is always a need for high profileprofessional workers. No! We cannot support the poor other othernations, specially when our own desperate are suffering. It wouldrequire most employers to use E-Verify withintwo years of enactment. Large employers, federal, state, and localagencies andfederal and state contractors would need to comply within six months.

The only problem that I see is safeguards for the State of Arizona law, alongwith Georgia, Alabama, and other States that have enacted laws ahead ofH.R.2164. WILL THESE STATE LAWS BE COMPROMISED BY A FEDERAL LAW? After the apprehension that Arizona was losing its shirt as upwardsof $2 Billion, 569 Million annually from subsidizing the waves of illegalaliens coming across the unsecured border. (FAIR’S analysis.) This was theinception of the struggling American people's peaceful revolt, against CapitolHill, and each of the 50 States being crippled by foreign national’s fingers inthe financial pie. Not just from those stealing across our borders, but the 40percent that takes in their mind, to illegally immigrate through airportsarrivals or even from entering by boat or ferry. The United States has had anopen border for way too long, and now with the crippling recession the wholeillegal alien invasion has catapulted into one of the main political issuestoday.

INTERESTINGENOUGH, THAT WHEN E-VERIFY BECOMES A PERMANENT LAW, HUNDREDS OFTHOUSANDS WILL BE ON THEIR WAY HOME TO SOME OTHER NATION. BUT THESECOND REVELATION IS, THEY WILL TAKE THEIR KIDS WITH THEM AND EMPTYINGOUT OUR STATES OVERLOADED SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SAVING BILLIONS IN TAXPAYERMONEY.

The Legal Workforce Act (H.R.2164)would:

Phase in E-Verify over three years, starting with the largest companies first. Require the Social Security Administration (SSA) to target illegal aliens using fake social security numbers by sending out “no match” letters to employers if the name and social security number of a current employee do not match. Requires the employer to check those employees through E-Verify after receiving a “no match” letter. Require SSA to send a yearly notification to each owner of a social security number that has multiple employers reporting income to that number indicating that the number may have been stolen and is being used by illegal aliens. Requires employers to run through E-Verify those employees who are likely to have stolen the number from the legitimate owner. Establish a phone verification system as an alternative to using the electronic system. Require the use of E-Verify for those contracted at day labor sites and other referral or recruitment services. Protect employers who use the system in good faith from liability if the system makes an error on eligibility. Protect states’ and localities’ authority to revoke business licenses of employers who fail to use E-Verify as required by this Act. Significantly increases the penalties for employers who refuse to use the system, or who intentionally try to game it. The fines levied can be up to $25,000 per unauthorized worker and a minimum one-year prison sentence may be imposed on an employer who engages in a “pattern or practice” of violations. Require SSA to lock the use of social security numbers when it is being used by someone other than the rightful owner, when the owner has violated immigration laws and been ordered to leave the country, or when the owner’s temporary visa has expired.

Only thetrue TEA PARTY leadership was borne from what is wrong with either theLeftist-Democrats or the far right Republicans. Like the Phoenix from the ashesof ultra Right, the Tea Party is a revolution for all citizens and legal immigrants,no matter their race or religious doctrine. They have watched their nation’smoney being squandered in massive spending fiasco by the Obama administration,by the Bush presidency and others before him. The day of reckoning is uponus, with a massive $14.5 Trillion dollars deficit that is coming to a festeringhead now, and yet Liberals are pressing for another Amnesty. Under the TeaParty, a wing of the Republicans that have promised there will never be anotheramnesty, of which the 1986 giant citizenship law a fraudulent embarrassment.Its outcome was to drown all Americans in a 20 million plus population offoreigners without papers. Be mindful of the behemoth monetary consequences ofany new immigration Reform packages, the Dream Act and the materialization ofmore Sanctuary Cities, has accelerated CHAIN MIGRATION, yearly. This is anotherexpenditure that is added to federal and State deficits that is costing alltaxpayers. However, the Tea Party is here to stay and will never retreat fromthe people's interests, which extends to cutting out-of-control spending and a irrationaltax system that is fair to everybody, with no loopholes for the wealthy.

Oneof the most critical points that must be addressed, is non-citizensvoting in our elections. In polling places and registrationverifications, we must scrutinize carefully the voting rolls for allirregularities. Illegal Aliens have been voting and will again usingmostly ABSENTEE BALLOTS.The Democrat Left progressives see noConstitutional differences in who votes in the United States.

jdub
jdub

Didn't say whether they were illegal.

Anne Mitchell
Anne Mitchell

  Google is your friend;do some searching.4 in ICE custody,4 others ordered to appear.Ms. Bonilla  No English Understand Speak.

briansays
briansays

i'd like to thank ice for enforcing the law

Happycow_m00
Happycow_m00

They didn't enforce the LAW Bryan they did everything the Constitution of this Country stands against and that is abuse of power and intimidation. This is not enforcing the law this is terrorism. No different then the Taliban going into a village and putting fear, intimidation, beatings on people. This is not acceptable anywhere in the World least of all in a Country upon which I grew up believing stood against such opressions.

Nando
Nando

They were just "doing their job", right?  I'm willing to bet this type of raid and the subsequent aftermath would not have occurred in the suburbs, especially if the victims were not minorities.  Good luck getting an apology from ICE. 

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