HUMSI — Human Security Initiative

Human Impact Project

A living database documenting reported immigration enforcement incidents and their human impact.

Reporter Ryanne Mena struck by tear gas and nonlethal munitions covering ICE raid protests

Jun 7, 2025 · Paramount, CA

Reporter Ryanne Mena struck by tear gas and nonlethal munitions covering ICE raid protests

Ryanne Mena, a reporter for LA Daily News and Southern California News Group, was struck by law enforcement while covering ICE raid protests in Los Angeles County over two consecutive days in June 2025. On June 6, she was shot with a pepper ball bullet in her left thigh while reporting on ICE operations. The following day in Paramount, she was struck in the head with a rubber bullet and exposed to tear gas during a law enforcement dispersal of protesters. Mena, who has asthma, experienced difficulty breathing during the incidents and was diagnosed with a concussion. She reported ongoing symptoms including brain fog, headaches, vomiting, and heightened anxiety months later. She sought emergency medical care for her injuries and became a plaintiff in a lawsuit that won a preliminary injunction in California's Central District barring ICE and CBP from brutalizing protesters, legal observers, and members of the press.

Timeline

Jun 7, 2025Mena struck in head with rubber bullet and exposed to tear gas during law enforcement dispersal of protesters in Paramount; sought emergency medical care
Jun 6, 2025Ryanne Mena shot with pepper ball bullet in left thigh while covering ICE raids in Los Angeles County
2025-2026Mena experienced ongoing symptoms including brain fog, headaches, vomiting, and heightened anxiety; became plaintiff in lawsuit against ICE and CBP

Sources

More incidents in California