Two employees from a medical center in California have been arrested for allegedly assaulting federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This incident occurred when the agents attempted to apprehend an undocumented individual who had sought refuge inside the surgery center.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli provided details about the case, clarifying that the arrested individual was not a patient at the center, as some social media posts suggested. Instead, he had entered the facility to escape law enforcement. The two employees, identified as Jose de Jesus Ortega, 38, from Highland, and Danielle Nadine Davila, 33, from Corona, reportedly tried to physically block the agents from carrying out their duties.
Essayli emphasized that the allegations against the medical workers include assault and interference with a federal investigation. He stated, “It doesn’t matter who you are or where you work, if you assault our agents or otherwise interfere with our operations, you will be arrested and charged with a federal crime.” This statement reflects a strong stance on enforcing the law against those who obstruct federal agents.
The situation gained attention after misleading reports circulated online, portraying the apprehended individual as an innocent landscaper who was arrested during a medical procedure. Essayli dismissed these claims, clarifying the facts surrounding the incident.
During an interview with Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin, Essayli expressed concern that political rhetoric in California might embolden people to confront ICE agents. He remarked, “We’ve said this over and over again, if you get in our way, if you lay a hand on a federal agent, you will be arrested and you will be charged.”
When asked whether the federal charges were excessive, Essayli firmly disagreed. He argued that charging individuals in such cases is necessary to uphold the rule of law and protect federal agents from interference.
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States, particularly in states like California, where local policies may conflict with federal immigration efforts. The arrests of Ortega and Davila serve as a reminder of the legal consequences that can arise from obstructing federal law enforcement activities.
