Two men living in Gresham are being federally detained after immigration agents broke down their bedroom door Wednesday, Oct. 15, at an apartment complex on 190th Avenue. The suspect ICE was attempting to find remains at large.
The incident was captured on video and widely shared across social media. Masked agents break down an apartment bedroom door and rush into a room armed with guns. Agents shouted, “Police, don’t move, hands up,” while pointing their guns at the family. Two men, Arturo and Napoleon, were taken away in handcuffs. Mari Cruz Magana, the woman recording, was holding a 3-month-old baby while it happened. You can hear the baby crying in the background of the video.
“We are not criminals to be treated that way,” Mari Cruz wrote on Facebook.
Rep. Ricki Ruiz, D-Gresham, spoke with her after the incident.
“Her courage spoke louder than fear,” Ruiz said. “These are the real stories behind the headlines — families, mothers, children — who are just seeking to live in peace.”
According to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE attempted to pull over a “non-citizen with a criminal record” during a traffic stop earlier that afternoon. That man avoided agents and fled to a nearby apartment.
After they waited outside the apartment complex for about an hour, agents entered the building. Gresham Police were not involved in the apartment detainment. Some officers did respond to a hit-and-run that was caused during ICE’s intended target’s escape.
“After refusing to leave authorities entered the apartment. The target escaped and is still on the run,” DHS wrote. “Two other Mexican residents were found inside the apartment and taken into ICE custody at the scene.”
The family said agents never displayed a warrant nor showed proper identification. They did not answer any questions. One agent allegedly attempted to have Mari Cruz stop recording, telling her, “I’m in your home now.”
The Maganas said Napoleon has an open immigration case and work permit. Arturo does not have legal status. Both were moved to the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma one day after their detainment. On Sunday, Oct. 19, Arturo was moved to Arizona.
“Let’s be clear — if ICE and DHS really targeted a specific person they should have followed that individual and not allowed him to get away,” Ruiz said. “Instead they (broke) into a family’s bedroom and detained two innocent men. It was a violation of rights, dignity and the most basic human sense.”
The Magana Family has started a GoFundMe campaign to support Mari Cruz and her children. Learn more online: tinyurl.com/muxe7wje
