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Asylum seekers tell council of sudden ICE arrests; family members describe detention, missed appointments
Summary
During public comment on Oct. 28 two people with pending asylum cases described sudden arrests by ICE, alleged denial of medication and interpretation, and prolonged detention that left their child at home. Councilmembers acknowledged trauma and thanked the speakers for coming forward.
Two people who said they had applied for asylum testified during the public comment period on Oct. 28 that Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested them suddenly at their homes and held them in detention for weeks while their immigration cases remained pending.
Antón told the City Council he and his wife traveled to New York and later applied for asylum (he referenced Form I‑589). On Aug. 21 he said ICE officers arrested him at home: “me pusieron las esposas,” he said, describing being handcuffed, taken in his work clothes while his wife was in pajamas, and held in a downtown Los Angeles facility before transfer to a San Diego detention center.
Antón said he was held about 26 days and alleged officials denied medication and access to interpreters. He said his wife Tania was handcuffed when she left the house to retrieve their dog, leaving their son at home without a parent. “No podemos comprender por qué nos habían arrestado,” he said in public comment.
Speakers accompanying the family noted they had filed immigration paperwork and that community advocates had assisted with forms. Councilmembers in the chamber thanked the family for sharing a “very difficult” account and said the council would record the testimony. Councilmember Bloom(en)field said he appreciated the family’s courage in speaking, and Councilmember Rodríguez urged the council to collect the records and “keep the receipts” for future action or accountability.
No formal council action was recorded at the meeting on immigration enforcement. The testimony was part of the public comment record and councilmembers requested staff follow up as appropriate.
Details recorded in the public comments: - Date of alleged arrest: Aug. 21, 2025 (as stated by the speaker). - Asylum application: speaker referenced Form I‑589 (asylum application) and mentioned other immigration form numbers during testimony. - Detention duration: speaker reported being detained about 26 days and transferred between facilities. - Family impact: the speakers said their son remained at home during the arrests; speakers described emotional distress and disruption.
The family and community advocates asked the council to note the incident publicly and to consider what local actions the city could take to protect residents and to document enforcement impacts on families.
