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By Billal Rahman
Immigration Reporter
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A woman who is nine months pregnant was detained by federal immigration authorities, despite being a U.S. citizen.
Cary López Alvarado was apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on June 8, one week before her due date, in Hawthorne, Los Angeles County, California.
"They started grabbing me from both sides, and I ducked down to sort of shield my stomach because I was afraid they were going to hurt me," the 28-year-old told Telemundo 52.
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"I told them it [her due date] was June 17, and they said, 'OK, your baby is going to be born here, but you're from Mexico, right?' And I told them no."
She said agents detained her on allegations of obstructing the arrest of her undocumented partner.
"Cary Lopez was arrested because she obstructed federal law enforcement by blocking access to a car that had two Guatemalan illegal aliens in it," Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, told Newsweek.
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The Context
The detention comes amid a crackdown on immigration by the Trump administration, which has made enforcement operations a top priority. Trump has vowed to carry out what he calls the largest mass deportation effort in United States history, enforcing stricter border controls, shutting down asylum and ramping up ICE arrests across the country. The administration argues voters' immigration concerns have long been ignored.
The arrest came on the weekend of a series of immigration raids in Los Angeles that led to protests.
What To Know
Border Patrol agents marked in U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) vehicles had been following a white pickup carrying two undocumented immigrants, including López Alvarado's partner, NBC Los Angeles reported.
Speaking from a hospital bed on Monday, she told the outlet: "I had lost my balance because he was kind of shoving me away from the door. That's when I kind of leaned forward, trying to protect the stomach."
"I wasn't resisting or anything," she added. "I can't fight back; I'm pregnant."
Footage recorded by Lopez Alvarado shows her telling agents: "I'm gonna need you guys to leave. This is private property."
In general, ICE agents require a search warrant to enter private homes and non-public areas of a business.
Another video shows an agent responding, "Excuse me ma'am. You are interfering with my arrest. I'm doing my job... Can you please move away?" To which López Alvarado replies, "I'm not moving away."
Her partner and another worker were taken into custody by federal agents.
López Alvarado said she was released shortly after her arrest and taken home, without any documentation.
López Alvarado said she began experiencing sharp abdominal pain after her release on Sunday, and was subsequently hospitalized. Doctors are closely monitoring both her and her baby, NBC Los Angeles reported.
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What Are People Saying
Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek: "During this incident, agents were assaulted, and an additional subject was taken into custody after he pushed an officer. Additionally, rioters began throwing wrenches and batteries at agents. Anyone who actively obstructs or assaults law enforcement, including U.S. citizens, will of course face consequences which include arrest."
"It is disgraceful that attacks on federal law enforcement are increasing. Our ICE enforcement officers are facing a 413% increase in assaults against them."
Update 06/11/25, 9:49 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from the Department of Homeland Security.
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