ICE Detains Long Beach Resident, Sparks Outrage from Local Leaders

A video of ICE agents allegedly breaking a U.S. citizen’s arm in Long Beach sparked backlash from state and local leaders on Monday. 

Neighbors in North Long Beach heard the confrontation outside their homes on Saturday when they intervened. Bystanders say they fought with federal immigration agents from the man, a Long Beach resident named Ricardo Gonzalez, after agents pushed him to the ground. 

Cellphone footage from a bystander recorded the incident, but does not show what happened leading up to the arrest. In the video, Gonzalez screams that his arm is broken and begs for help. Neighbors also argue with agents, asking to see warrants, and barricading themselves in front of the government vehicles. 

In an online fundraiser, Gonzalez’s daughter, Leslie, said agents pushed him off of his e-bike after an agent jumped from an unmarked vehicle. 

“He was tased twice, pinned to the ground, and taken to the hospital for serious injuries,” Leslie’s fundraiser said. “What ICE did was not right.”

Long Beach police say they received a request from the Department of Homeland Security and ICE assistance for vehicle vandalism and medical aid. After officers arrived at the scene, Gonzalez was already handcuffed and bleeding. 

LBPD says they did not make any arrests in regard to the situation. The Homeland Security Department, which manages ICE, has also not released a comment on why Gonzalez was targeted. 

Democratic Congressman Robert Garcia, whose district includes Long Beach, called the video “horrific” on X.  

“I’m proud of the neighbors who documented and stood up for the family being terrorized by ICE,” Garcia said.

Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson also reacted to the incident on social media.

“Our residents shouldn’t be put in these situations,” he said. “Families shouldn’t have to live in fear in their own neighborhoods. I’ve asked our city team to verify exactly what happened and to document everything.”

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