EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to include a statement by the Department of Homeland Security
Immigration agents arrested three day laborers outside of a well-known worker center in Pomona earlier today. Immigration advocates say they’re worried about the health and safety of the people now being detained.
Staff at the Pomona Day Labor Center say federal agents showed up around 9 a.m. to their site located next to a Contractors’ Warehouse store on Mission Boulevard. A video obtained by KVCR shows agents surrounding two workers inside the parking lot and taking them into custody.
One of the men, Fernando Salazar, is a Mexican worker who regularly visits the center, said Alexis Teodoro, worker-rights director at the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center.
“When we looked up, we were extremely surprised to see the agents,” he said. “I immediately started questioning the agents to identify themselves.”
Agents ignored repeated demands from witnesses and PEOC staff to leave the property. Video shows Teodoro and other staffers urging them to produce a warrant.
A separate Ring camera video captures a third worker sprinting into a nearby neighborhood. Teodoro identified him as Benjamin Alcocer, who was later detained.
Teodoro says Salazar has been struggling with a persistent bladder issue and recently underwent surgery. He says he’s concerned Salazar’s medical condition could worsen. “Right now he [doesn’t have] his medication,” said Teodoro. “We don't want it to happen, but if ICE doesn't release him, he probably could pass away in detention. And that’s our biggest worry right now.”
PEOC also says Alcocer was in the process of trying to obtain a green card.
The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that the arrests were part of a targeted operation. They said they arrested Edgar Juventino Barrio-Lopez, who was previously arrested for sexual assault of a child.
"This predator was previously apprehended FOUR TIMES by immigration officials and has a final order of removal since 2021," reads the statement from DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
McLaughlin also said Benjamin Alcocer was previously convicted of battery and escape after arrest. He was ordered to leave the U.S. back in 1999, said McLaughlin.
No information was provided on the whereabouts or status of Salazar, but Teodoro shared that Salazar called PEOC to notify them he was being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles.
Pomona has experienced several incidents involving ICE and Border Patrol since April, which PEOC said resulted in several detentions and deportations. Federal immigration arrests also took place in nearby Chino Hills and Montclair on Thursday, according to immigrant rights organizations.
