A 28-year-old woman has shared her harrowing experience after being arrested by ICE officers while heavily pregnant. The traumatic experience ultimately sent her to the hospital after experiencing sharp pains in her abdomen.
Cary López Alvarado was arrested on Sunday in the midst of the anti-ICE protest chaos in L.A. It all went down after border patrol followed a white pick up truck, with two undocumented workers inside, to a building’s private parking area. According to NBC News one of the people in the pick up was López Alvarado’s partner, Brian Nájera.
What happened?
When Nájera and his co-worker arrived at the property López Alvarado and her cousin, Alberto Sandoval, who is also a U.S. citizen, opened the gate to let them in. The four were then surrounded by immigration officers.
López Alvarado, who is set to give birth as early as next week, was able to capture much of the interaction on video. Confronting the officers she tells them, “I’m gonna need you guys to leave. This is private property.” The agents were reportedly trying to “forcefully open” the gate while she “was blocking the door.” The agents ask her to move as one officer explains, “You are interfering with my arrest.”
López Alvarado refused to move and was ultimately arrested alongside her partner. Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told NBC in an email that López Alvarado was arrested for obstructing the arrest of “two Guatemalan illegal aliens.” The statement also claims that the agents were assaulted and another subject was taken into custody after pushing an officer.
Cary López Alvarado claims the arrest resulted in her going to hospital
López Alvarado claims that officers “shoved her,” causing her to lose her balance. Witnesses also recorded the moment she was arrested with many shouting at officers to “let her go.” The soon to be mother claimed that she was not resisting saying, “I can’t fight back; I’m pregnant.”
Speaking from a hospital bed on Monday she explained, “I was afraid that they were going to hurt me.” During the arrest López Alvarado told agents she was due on June 17 and also explained that she was born in the U.S. She was released shortly after her arrest and taken back home. After the arrest she claims she began experiencing sharp pains in her stomach so she went to the hospital where she was kept for a day so doctors could monitor her and the baby.
Agents said that they would be in contact with López Alvarado regarding her obstruction allegations although she claims that she was never given any documents or citations regarding the arrest. Her cousin also remains in custody and is facing assault charges.
