At a Glance
- Rafael Vela, 64, was wrestled to the ground and taken by federal agents outside his Silver Lake home on January 7
- Family say Vela believed he was a permanent resident after 40 years in the U.S.; a later letter shows he is not
- CBP confirms the arrest, calling Vela an “illegal alien from El Salvador” who will remain in ICE custody pending removal
- Why it matters: Neighbors captured the encounter on video, raising questions about the use of force and transparency during immigration operations
A Saturday-morning walk to collect recyclables ended with Rafael Vela pinned on his own doorstep, according to video reviewed by News Of Los Angeles. The 64-year-old, known for odd jobs around Silver Lake, was detained by several masked federal agents and driven away in an unmarked car.
Family Confused by Sudden Arrest
Footage timestamped January 7 shows Vela shouting for his partner of three decades as agents surround him.
“Vivian, Vivian! That’s what he calls me in Spanish, Vivian. But it was too late,” Vivian Argueyo told Amanda S. Bennett.
Vela’s goddaughter, Jenny Vargas, watched from inside the house.
“They went up the stairs and caught my godfather and took him away,” she said.
The family later found a letter indicating Vela does not hold legal permanent resident status, contradicting what they say he believed after more than 40 years in the country.
Neighbors React to Show of Force
Residents expressed dismay over the tactics used.
“To have three people on one man over 60 years old is ridiculous,” witness Lilly Graves said. “I’m sure he was in pain and they were on top of him.”
Graves recorded the incident and posted notices around the neighborhood reading “ICE was here.”
“It’s terrible to watch someone while you feel helpless. There’s nothing else to do but record it and tell the community ICE was here,” she added.
Previous Encounter with Police
Vargas said Vela was arrested in August after a dispute with an acquaintance but was released without charges, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department records reviewed by News Of Los Angeles.
Official Statement
Two days after the Silver Lake operation, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson provided this statement:
“On January 9th, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) conducted an immigration enforcement operation in Echo Park, CA which resulted in the arrest of an illegal alien from El Salvador, who has broken the immigration laws of our nation. He will remain in ICE custody pending removal.”
Key Takeaways
- Vela, born in El Salvador, has lived in the U.S. for over four decades
- The arrest occurred outside the home he shares with Argueyo
- CBP lists the location as Echo Park; family and video place it in Silver Lake
- No criminal charges are currently pending from the August incident
- Vela remains in ICE custody while removal proceedings move forward
