Roberto Reyes had barely left his Fontana, California, residence and was only a block down the highway on his option to work when 4 white vehicles swarmed him, boxing in his automobile.
Within moments, the 32-year-old father frantically regarded for an escape as he observed an immigration officer hop out of one of many vehicles. Tapping into his survival instincts, Reyes noticed a spot between the autos and fled, leaving his pockets, keys and different belongings contained in the automotive.
As he ran again to his residence, Reyes stated he referred to as his spouse and daughter to open the door – all whereas the agents chased him, not far behind.
In safety digicam video from Reyes’ residence, the Nicaraguan immigrant may be seen narrowly escaping the agents’ grasp as he rushed inside his residence and shut the door.
Reyes alongside along with his spouse, three youngsters, and mother-in-law, have been barricaded inside their home for greater than per week out of worry of being detained by immigration agents. They arrived from Nicaragua three years in the past, looking for asylum.
“We are afraid and we’ve seen there are cases where they separate the children, their parents are deported, the children are left here, that is my fear,” Reyes stated.
Officers seen kicking door and waving keys in entrance of digicam
After Reyes shut the door to his residence on July 30, one of many agents fiercely kicked the entrance door a number of instances as if attempting to interrupt it down, the safety footage exhibits.
“But I was at the door holding it because they were doing everything they could to get in,” Reyes stated, noting his daughter hit her head as she tried to assist hold the door shut.
Later, an officer seems to be taunting Reyes by waving a set of keys in entrance of one of many safety cameras put in outdoors the family’s residence.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed federal immigration agents tried to detain Reyes final week. He was described as a “dangerous criminal illegal alien from Nicaragua with a criminal history including assault with a deadly weapon, exhibiting a deadly weapon, and disturbing the peace.”
Reyes instructed NCS he was wrongfully accused in relation to an incident with a neighbor and the case has been dismissed. NCS reached out to the San Bernardino County Superior Court to verify the case was dismissed.
Since his encounter with immigration agents, Reyes stated no warrant or summons has been offered to him or his family.
But the agents have not stopped approaching their residence and the family has seen unknown vehicles parked close to or in his residence constructing’s parking zone, he stated.
“They send infiltrators to knock on my door to see if we’re there, they park in some parking spaces,” Reyes stated.
Neither Reyes, who’s an electrician, has been in a position to go to work, nor his youngsters have attended college. They are additionally nervous about his mother-in-law who’s recovering from lung surgical procedure and may wish medical care.
The incident and the isolation have began to weigh on their psychological well being. Even listening to a knock on the door has grow to be traumatic for Reyes’ family, they stated.
“My wife seems anxious, she has not been able to sleep, she is very skinny, she has not been able to eat,” Reyes stated.
Reyes’ daughter stated her worst nightmare is that immigration agents would enter the residence and take her mom.
In the previous days, neighborhood members and an area immigration coalition have rallied to help the family by the ordeal.
Javier Hernandez, govt director for the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, stated he was in a position to carry the family meals, private hygiene gadgets and water.
“Our first thought again, was their well-being … their physical well-being, ‘Do they have water? Do they have food?’” Hernandez stated.
Now, the group is ready on attempting to determine how you can hold the family within the nation.
Reyes and his family left Nicaragua after being persecuted for their political activism, and sought asylum at the southern border, Hernandez stated.
At the time, the family sought an immigration lawyer for their asylum case however couldn’t afford the excessive charges. They have been requested for an preliminary fee of $8,000 with a complete payment amounting to $25,000 for their complete family, Reyes stated.
“I was the only one supporting my wife and my children, and we didn’t have the resources to pay a lawyer, and so we can’t afford one,” Reyes stated, including he desires to proceed his software course of.
For now, Reyes stated he is keen to remain at home so long as is required and do no matter is in his arms.
“I want to work legally, go forward and provide for my children,” Reyes stated.