Community members and activists gathered at Alhambra City Hall on Monday to demand the police department reject collaboration with federal immigration entities.
Roughly 200 people participated in the rally after a local activist said an Alhambra police officer interfered while she filmed federal agents in the city.
In the Jan. 19 video, which widely circulated on social media, Angelica Vargas documents the agents before she is cut off by an Alhambra Police Department cruiser that separates her vehicle from the agents’ vehicle.
While still filming, Vargas asked police if they were working with the federal agents, to which the officer denied. Moments later, a federal agent approached her and questioned her citizenship. The incident happened near the intersection of Garfield Boulevard and Valley Avenue, according to police.
“These federal agents, these federal agents were getting access to me,” Vargas said at the rally Monday evening. “They questioned my citizenship and basically intimidated me.”
In a statement, the Alhambra Police Department denied having any involvement with the presence of the federal agents. It acknowledged it was aware of Vargas’ video.
“Officers assisted with keeping the peace and confirmed no immigration enforcement was taking place at the scene,” the department’s statement said. “Shortly after PD arrival, both parties went their separate ways. Our officers cleared five minutes after arrival. Our officers had no prior knowledge that Federal agents were in the City. The Alhambra Police Department fully complies with the California Values Act (SB 54). Our priority remains with protecting all residents and fostering community trust by ensuring that fear of immigration status does not prevent anyone from reporting crimes, serving as a witness, or seeking police assistance.”
Despite the department’s reaction, members rallied and marched on Monday to voice their frustrations during City Hall’s public comment. Luis Carrillo, Vargas’ attorney, said they are now looking into what legal actions they can possibly take against Alhambra and its police department.