The American Civil Liberties Union(ACLU) considered Wednesday as a possible “retaliation” the arrest of Isaac Villegas by immigration authorities, since the immigrant detained by ICE is part of a class action lawsuit against the raids that occurred in Los Angeles last year, so they demanded his release.
Villegas was detained last week during a routine presentation to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), even though a judge granted him bail last year while he was fighting his deportation.
Arrest in immigration raids sparks accusations of racial profiling
Isaac Villegas was re-arrested by ICE after a judge released him, claiming he was “not a danger or flight risk.”
Democrats are screaming retaliation because Villegas was part of a class action lawsuit accusing ICE of “racial profiling.”
SCOTUS already blocked a similar lawsuit… pic.twitter.com/FHBm7CFJG2
– Kim “Katie” USA (@KimKatieUSA) April 18, 2026
The immigrant, a native of Panama who works as a day laborer, was first detained by ICE immigration authorities on June 18, 2025.
This while waiting at a bus stop.
His arrest was one of hundreds of arrests in the operations that swept through Los Angeles last year.
Villegas is part of a class action lawsuit accusing President Donald Trump’s administration of detaining people using racial profiling.
Or because they speak Spanish or perform a certain type of work.
The ACLU and the organizations that supported the lawsuit have demanded Villegas’ release.
ACLU denounces retaliation
After the Supreme Court refused his challenge to ICE, Isaac Antonio Villegas Molina, a construction worker filing a lawsuit against ICE with the help of the ACLU, was detained once again during his ISAP check-in.
The full story: https://t.co/c7vDSWYVGL
By Izzy Ramirez pic.twitter.com/Xc2W8s4pIM
– L.A. TACO🌴🌮 (@LATACO) April 23, 2026
ACLU of Southern California Executive Director Chandra Bhatnagar said in a statement that Villegas’ arrest, despite an order from an immigration judge authorizing his release on bond:
“It appears to constitute retaliation for speaking out against” the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The lawyer warned that the new imprisonment violates the court order.
As well as their First and Fifth Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution.
He was detained while waiting at a bus stop
QuéOnnda.com
“Retaliation is a hallmark of authoritarian regimes, and we will not tolerate it….”.
“We are committed to protecting the constitutional rights of every courageous person who dares to stand up to the government.”
“We demand that DHS release Isaac immediately,” Bhatnagar said.
Villegas, an immigrant detained by ICE, is scheduled for a hearing with an immigration judge next Friday.
With information from EFE
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com
