Warrantless ICE Arrest In Oregon Home Captured On Cell Phone Video

BEAVERTON, OR — A cell phone video posted to Facebook Thursday morning that appears to show federal immigration agents arresting a person they claim is unlawfully in the United States is now being reviewed by federal immigration officials, according to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman.

Facebook user George Cardenas posted the 8-minute video shortly after 12 p.m Oct. 19. Along with the video Cardenas wrote, "ICE just came on to private property. No warrent (sic). They were never allowed in by any one — not me (and) not the owner — and abducted my friend… they think they can just walk into private property and traspass (sic). They broke the law and didn't even think twice." (Editor's Note: Cardenas' post has been lightly edited for readability and punctuation.)

Cardenas said the man arrested, Carlos Bolanos, was released without explanation just over an hour after the incident.

On Friday, Patch received the following email statement from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Yasmeen Pitts O'Keefe:

"The alien at issue has been released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody pending further investigation regarding the circumstances of his arrest, and the matter has been referred to the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility and the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General. The Agency is reviewing this incident."

The video begins after four individuals reportedly representing ICE have entered the Beaverton-area home where Cardenas and Bolanos were doing home renovation work for someone named "Cindy." All of the agents are dressed in plainclothes, though one can be seen with what looks like a badge hanging around his neck. Nothing clearly identifies them as federal agents; Cardenas and Bolanos appear forced to take them at their word.

During the initial few seconds of the video, one of the ICE agents is heard telling Bolanos to provide identification.

"I need to see your ID … because I have reason to believe you're not in the country legally," the unidentified man says.

Cardenas responds calmly but firmly that the agents need a warrant to enter the home, and he asks on what charges are the agents arresting his co-worker.

"Person without permission in the United States of America, that's the charge," the man responds through crosstalk, adding, "We don't need a warrant to come in this home; no one lives here."

Cardenas tells the man the homeowner, Cindy, lives downstairs but isn't there at the moment. The ICE agent, flanked by two other men and a woman, argue the legality of entering the house, appearing incredulous at Cardenas' claims that someone does in fact live there.

Bolanos can be heard receiving a call from Cindy at one point, telling the agents afterward that she's on her way.

With both parties staying relatively calm, albeit tense, the arguing continues throughout the length of the video. The ICE agents appear aggressive and short with Cardenas at times as he repeatedly tells them what they're doing is illegal.

"This is ridiculous," Cardenas is heard saying at one point. "I hope you feel good about yourself."

None of the ICE agents provided their names in the video, and are heard telling Cardenas they don't have to.

After some apparent debate, the last minute of the video shows the agents following through with the arrest, placing Bolanos in handcuffs and escorting him from the home — Cardenas following along the entire time with his camera.

Shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday, Cardenas wrote another post (which has also been lightly edited) that said Bolanos had been released from custody without ever having learned why he was arrested in the first place.

"They released my friend from ICE custody; they didn't even give him a reason as to why they released him or took him, they just told him to leave (and) it was a 'mistake,'" Cardenas wrote. "But I know that they f----- up and they know it too, and I feel like the video had a lot to do with it. So thank you to everyone who took time to share it."

The video, which was shared by more than 6,000 Facebook users in its first day, has been viewed nearly 450,000 times as of Friday afternoon. On Friday morning, Cardenas wrote another post thanking all who supported him and his friend:

Images via George Cardenas, used with permission