LOS ANGELES — A 32-year-old U.S. citizen whose sudden detainment by masked federal agents downtown prompted a kidnapping call and widespread outrage has been released on bond, as questions mount about the operation and law enforcement’s role.
Andrea Velez, a marketing designer and Cal Poly Pomona graduate, was freed from federal custody Thursday evening after a judge ordered her release on a $5,000 bond. She is facing charges of assaulting a federal officer and is scheduled to return to court on July 17.
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Velez was arrested Tuesday morning after being dropped off for work in downtown Los Angeles. Her mother and sister witnessed a group of armed, masked men grab her without identifying themselves and immediately called 911 to report a kidnapping. The call led to a swift LAPD response at the intersection of Ninth and Spring streets.
According to the LAPD, officers responded solely based on the emergency call and had no prior knowledge that the incident was a federal immigration enforcement action. Video from the scene shows officers forming a skirmish line to control a growing crowd, which had gathered in confusion and concern.
“The federal agents did not notify LAPD of their planned enforcement activity in advance,” the department said in a statement. “LAPD officers responded only due to the kidnapping report. No arrests were made by LAPD.”
The department reiterated that it does not participate in civil immigration enforcement, in keeping with its long-standing policy dating back to 1979.
However, the presence of LAPD officers at the scene drew backlash online, with critics accusing the department of aiding the federal operation. Advocates and community members also raised alarms about the aggressive nature of the arrest and the psychological trauma caused by masked agents operating in public without identification.
Video footage shows Velez being forcibly carried to an SUV by federal agents. Speaking to reporters following her release, she denied assaulting anyone and said she was terrified by the encounter.
“I was just going to work, and everything happened so fast,” she said. “They didn’t identify themselves, so I was scared.”
Her attorney, Gregory Russell, rejected the allegation of assault on a federal officer, describing the arrest as an act of excessive force.
“Imagine being approached by armed, masked individuals with no identification. That’s what Andrea experienced. She reacted out of fear, not aggression,” Russell said.
According to a federal complaint, prosecutors allege that Velez interfered in the apprehension of a male suspect and struck a federal officer in the face while extending her arm. Velez denies the accusation, stating she had no idea what was happening and was simply reacting to what felt like a kidnapping.
“I didn’t know where I was going or who was taking me. I was just resisting out of fear,” she said. “I’m pretty sure I was racially profiled because I’m Latina.”
Her family says they were unable to contact her for more than 24 hours following the arrest, deepening concerns about transparency and due process.
Civil rights groups and immigrant advocacy organizations have called for a full review of the operation, and many are demanding increased oversight of federal enforcement activities in public spaces.
As public scrutiny intensifies, the case has renewed debate over immigration enforcement tactics and raised broader questions about race, policing, and civil liberties in Los Angeles.
The case remains under investigation.