California Jail Lockdown Blocks ICE Transfer Amid Protests
Monterey County jail placed on lockdown for three hours to prevent ICE from releasing three illegal aliens, sparking tensions with federal agents.
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Monterey County Jail placed on lockdown for three hours on Tuesday to prevent ICE agents from releasing three illegal aliens, sparking tensions and drawing a crowd of protesters and observers outside the facility. The standoff occurred as officials refused to cooperate with federal law enforcement, citing safety concerns and a commitment to protecting individuals from potential risks.
The jail was placed on lockdown around 5:40 p.m., suspending new bookings and inmate releases while a crowd of protesters and observers gathered outside. ICE agents left without taking anyone into custody during the standoff, and the sheriff’s office has indicated that they would do it again.
The three criminal illegal aliens in question were Eduardo Castro-Lopez (also known as Jordan Eduardo Yac), Jose Luis Quinones (also known as Jose Manuel Garcia), and Angelina Ramirez-Sepulveda. An ICE spokesperson told Border Hawk that “what should have been a simple, routine operation quickly went sideways.”
NEW: A California Jail Went Into Temporary Lockdown Instead of Releasing Inmates to ICE Agents
While agents waited in an area marked with yellow caution tape, protesters arrived. Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo was on scene and filmed the protest. Roughly 50 people, including legal observers, lawyers, and politicians, were present.
Supervisor Wendy Root Askew was recorded in a tense exchange with an ICE agent, telling him she had spoken with the sheriff and that “they will not be releasing anyone who is at risk today.”
“OK, so to be clear: Because we are here, the folks that are in there that would otherwise be legally allowed out there, Fourth Amendment rights are being violated by the sheriff to keep them in there? Is that what I’m hearing from you?” the agent asked, according to a report and video from KSBW.
Askew replied, “They will not be released in a location where ICE is present.” The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office announced the lockdown around 5:40 p.m., stating the facility was not accepting new bookings, that all inmate releases were temporarily suspended, and that public visitation was closed except for attorneys.
Officials said they took the measures “out of an abundance of caution to ensure everybody’s safety.” ICE agents departed around 6:30 p.m. amid the protest. The jail resumed normal operations less than two hours later.
The sheriff’s office later said scheduled releases were not affected overall and that the lockdown was intended to maintain a safe environment.
MONTEREY COUNTY JAIL PLACED FACILITY ON FULL LOCKDOWN, HARBORING CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIENS FROM FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
ICE, however, stated that two of the three individuals it sought were reportedly released from custody and accused the jail of “harboring” them, writing that “criminals are being protected in sanctuary cities and states, and a law enforcement facility is siding with CRIMINALS instead of cooperating with federal law enforcement.”
By the following day, custody records confirmed that Castro-Lopez had been released and Quinones was no longer listed as in custody, while Ramirez-Sepulveda remained.
Source: The Gateway Pundit
