Family Files Lawsuit After 15-Year-Old Detained by Immigration Officers
The family of a 15-year-old boy with special needs has initiated legal action against the federal government, alleging that he was wrongfully detained by immigration officers in Los Angeles. The incident occurred on August 11, 2023, as the boy and his mother, Andreina Mejia, were sitting in their vehicle outside Arleta High School. Mejia claims they were confronted by armed federal officers who pointed guns at them during the operation.
Mejia described the unsettling scene, stating, “I just seen all of these men coming out of that truck, pointing their guns and a taser gun at my son and myself.” She recounted how her son, who has speech and hearing disabilities, was visibly frightened and confused. The federal agents were reportedly attempting to arrest Cristian Alexander Vasquez-Alvarenga, a Salvadoran national suspected of ties to the MS-13 gang.
During the encounter, Mejia and her son were forcibly removed from their car and separated. The boy was handcuffed for several minutes, while Mejia attempted to explain his disabilities to the officers. The family has chosen not to disclose the boy’s name for privacy reasons.
Legal Action and Allegations
The family’s attorneys, Christian Contreras and Michael Carrillo, have filed a tort claim against the federal government, citing false arrest, false imprisonment, and battery. They argue that the boy’s treatment was not only inappropriate but also traumatic, especially for a minor with special needs. Carrillo emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “Imagine a 15-year-old with special needs being subjected to firearms on his way to school.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a statement regarding the incident, claiming that the family cooperated with agents in the arrest of a known gang member. This assertion has been categorically denied by the Mejia family and their legal representatives, who argue that the statement endangers their safety. Carrillo labeled the DHS’s claims as a “pure falsehood,” insisting that the family had no involvement with gang activity.
In response to the family’s legal action, the DHS criticized the suit, suggesting that it was an attempt by “billboard law firms” to exploit the situation for publicity and financial gain.
Impact on the Family
Despite the boy’s release shortly after the incident, the emotional toll has been significant. Mejia expressed her concern for her son’s mental health, noting, “No kid should have to go through what my son went through.” She revealed that he suffers from nightmares and has developed a reluctance to attend school. “Every day I have to wake him up, and it’s just so hard for him,” she added.
The family’s attorneys have indicated that Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) possesses surveillance video of the encounter and are seeking its release to corroborate their claims. The legal proceedings are ongoing, and the outcome remains to be seen as the family seeks justice for what they describe as a traumatic experience for a vulnerable child.
