OAKLAND, CA — An Alameda County collaborative condemned Immigration and Customs Enforcement, accusing agents of using "brutal" force during the recent arrest of two people in the East Bay.
ICE did not respond to a request for comment from Patch.
Alameda County Immigration Legal Education Partnership, a countywide collaborative network founded nearly a decade ago to protect, support, and empower undocumented communities in the region, made the accusations in an online post on Monday.
"This past weekend, federal agents appear to have used excessive force in two arrests, one in Emeryville and one near San Antonio Park in Oakland," the group said online. "Both people were injured and needed hospital care."
The collaborative says they're in contact with both people arrested and are providing them with legal support.
"Both have asked for their privacy to be respected,: the group said. "We ask the community and the media to honor their wishes."
The arrests came as the Trump administration continues to push ICE to increase daily immigration arrests as midterms near.
The disturbing attempt to arrest a U.S. citizen riding a bicycle over the weekend in Long Beach also sparked outrage across California over excessive force.
During the arrest, according to the Long Beach Watchdog, ICE agents struck Ricardo Gonzalez with an unmarked car, then tased him twice before handcuffing him.
No arrests were officially made, but video of the incident amassed more than 100,000 views in just a few days.
The city's mayor, Rex Richardson, said he was "outraged" by the incident and that aggressive enforcement tactics were putting residents at risk.
"This is unacceptable, and it must stop," he said.
In Alameda County, the immigration legal partnership is asking community members to combat this by contacting elected officials and demanding accountability, and to connect with local organizations to stay informed, share only verified reports, and know your rights.
"We are grateful for the community's support and solidarity as we continue to help both individuals and protect our community's rights," Alameda County Immigration Legal Education Partnership said.
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