The arrest of Elsy Berríos, a 52-year-old Salvadoran migrant living in Maryland, has generated intense controversy over the procedures of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the United States.
The incident, captured on video by his daughter, shows ICE agents breaking the window of the vehicle Berrios was in to proceed with his arrest, without presenting a warrant.
Details of the incident
Buzzy
On April 3, 2025, while Elsy Berrios was on her way to work with her minor daughter, ICE agents intercepted her on a Maryland street.
In the video recorded by his daughter, Berrios is seen asking to see a court order justifying his arrest by ICE.
However, the agents refuse to show it.
When Berríos refused to get out of the vehicle without such an order, they proceeded to break the driver’s side window and forcibly removed her.
During the arrest, Berrios tries to remain calm and calm his daughter, who screams:
“Don’t grab her like that!” at the sight of the way the agents hold his mother.
Later, another family member approached the agents to ask about the reasons for the arrest, receiving as an answer that Berríos “has no papers”.
This is despite the family’s claim that she has an ongoing legal process and legal representation.
Reactions and context
The video of the arrest quickly went viral on social media, generating outrage and criticism of the methods used by ICE.
Organizations defending the rights of migrants have expressed concern about the use of force in detentions.
This is without the presentation of court orders, especially when minors are present.
This incident adds to a series of recent ICE actions that have been questioned for their harshness and lack of transparency.
Including operations where detainees have been reported missing with no information on their whereabouts.
Migrant rights
It is essential that migrants in the United States know their rights.
Everyone has the right to request the production of a court order before being detained and to have legal representation.
El video del arresto se viralizó rápidamente en redes sociales
QuéOnnda.com
In addition, there are tools such as the Online Detainee Locator System(ODLS) that allow family members and attorneys to know the whereabouts of people detained by ICE.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
