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U.S. citizen Andrea Velez detained by ICE during street sweep, denied water, later released on bond

Oct 26, 2025 · Los Angeles, CA

U.S. citizen Andrea Velez detained by ICE during street sweep, denied water, later released on bond

Andrea Guadalupe Velez, a 32-year-old U.S. citizen and Cal Poly Pomona graduate, was detained by ICE agents in downtown Los Angeles on June 24, 2025, when she was dropped off at work during a street sweep operation targeting vendors. Agents arrested her after she stepped into the path of an officer attempting to apprehend another individual. Velez was charged with assaulting a federal officer and reported being denied water for 24 hours while held at a detention center and unable to contact the outside world for much of her detention, which lasted more than two days. A federal judge ordered her released on $5,000 bond. The Justice Department later dismissed her case without prejudice. On August 20, Velez filed a federal tort claim alleging racial profiling and wrongful arrest; she is one of six claimants represented by the Carrillo Law Firm alleging similar misconduct by ICE and Border Patrol in Southern California.

Timeline

Aug 20, 2025Justice Department dismissed Velez's assault case without prejudice; Velez filed federal tort claim alleging racial profiling and wrongful arrest
Jun 27, 2025Federal judge ordered Velez released on $5,000 bond with mother and sister present in court
Jun 24, 2025Andrea Velez detained by ICE agents during street sweep operation in downtown Los Angeles while being dropped off for work; arrested after stepping into path of officer; charged with assaulting federal officer
Jun 24, 2025Velez denied water for 24 hours and unable to contact outside world for much of her detention lasting more than two days

Sources

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