Protester shot in face by Homeland Security officers at anti-ICE rally, blinded
Jan 9, 2026·Location: Santa Ana, CA

Britain Rodriguez, 31, an Orange County resident and after-school program supervisor, was shot in the face with a less-lethal round by Homeland Security officers during an anti-ICE protest in downtown Santa Ana on January 9, 2026. The projectile damaged his iris, cornea, and lens, causing a cataract and severe vision loss. Officers gave no warning before firing at protesters demonstrating against ICE deportations and the killing of Renee Good in Minnesota. Rodriguez was unable to work or drive following the injury and faces uncertainty about his vision recovery.
Sources
- Second man shares horrific story of being blinded by officers at anti-ICE rally in Santa Ana
Los Angeles Times·Jan 16, 2026·archived copy
- Apply to Join
- Anti-ICE protester blinded by federal agent during demonstration in Santa Ana, family says
- DHS: US agents sustain eye injuries from lasers at protest, may be blinded
police1.com·Jul 24, 2020·archived copy
- Federal agents drag blind man at Portland ICE protests; court delays continue - The Daily Chronicle
chronline.com·Oct 22, 2025·archived copy
More incidents in California
- Irvine special education teacher detained at LAX, transferred to Adelanto ICE facilityOct 6, 2026 · Los Angeles, CA
- Former DACA recipient dies of sepsis after Adelanto ICE staff ignored infection, family suesOct 3, 2026 · Adelanto, CA
- Senator tours SFO airport holding room, cites prolonged ICE detentionsOct 1, 2026 · San Francisco, CA
- Mexican man captured by drone-tracking agents in Buena Park fraud sweepOct 1, 2026 · Buena Park, CA
- Irish man detained at airport deported to UK before bond hearingSep 30, 2026 · San Jose, CA
- Ghanaian respiratory therapist chained and detained at SFO gate over visa overstaySep 30, 2026 · San Francisco, CA