U.S. Citizen Seeks $1 Million After Arrest During Immigration Raid Recording.

A U.S. citizen is demanding $1 million in damages from the federal government, claiming he was unlawfully arrested and detained for more than 24 hours while recording an immigration raid at a Home Depot last month.

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) filed a claim on behalf of Job Garcia, 37, a Ph.D. student and photographer. The claim names U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. Border Patrol, and other Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agencies.

Allegations in the Claim

According to MALDEF, Garcia was in the parking lot of a Home Depot in Hollywood when agents tackled him, threw him to the ground, and restrained him while trying to take his phone. The group alleges Garcia was targeted because of his race and that his arrest violated multiple constitutional rights, including free speech, due process, and protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

MALDEF says Garcia was documenting arrests of Latino day laborers and urging one driver not to open his vehicle or speak to agents. After a masked agent attempted to grab his phone, Garcia was tackled, his face pressed into the asphalt, and his breathing restricted, the claim states.

Garcia was transported to Dodger Stadium and then the Metropolitan Detention Center. MALDEF says agents confirmed he was a U.S. citizen with no warrants before releasing him the next day without arraignment or a future court date.

DHS Response

A DHS spokesperson said Garcia assaulted and verbally harassed a federal agent, and that he was arrested for alleged assault. The spokesperson reiterated Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s position that anyone who physically confronts an officer will be prosecuted.

Reported Injuries and Impact

MALDEF says Garcia suffered bruising on his back, neck, arms, face, and legs, as well as emotional distress. He allegedly lost four days of work as a delivery driver, costing him up to $3,000, and has paused his academic studies.

Broader Concerns

MALDEF contends Garcia’s case highlights the risk of rights violations during public immigration enforcement actions and sends a warning about punishing bystanders who record such operations. “When the government engages in widespread violation of individual rights with respect to immigrants without status, the harm inevitably spills over and spreads to others,” said Thomas A. Saenz, MALDEF president and general counsel.

The filing of this administrative claim is a required step before MALDEF can move forward with a federal lawsuit.