ICE arrest of painter from Ecuador caught on surveillance video in Massachusetts
Luis Oswaldo, a 27-year-old painter from Ecuador, was arrested by ICE agents in Massachusetts on Wednesday morning, leaving his family in fear and uncertainty.
Oswaldo's family said they have not heard from him since his arrest, which occurred just before 7 a.m. near Encore Casino in Everett. They shared that he was on his way to work when the arrest occurred.
"No, no, I haven't heard anything. That's why it's even sadder. Because we don't know where he is or what's going to happen to him," his sister said through a translator. "We know absolutely nothing and we can't do anything. We can't communicate."
The sister did not want to use her name or show her face.
Surveillance video shows the moment when Oswaldo backed out of a parking spot onto the street and was quickly surrounded by ICE agents, with one SUV pulling in front of his car. Minutes later, he was taken into custody and driven away.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are currently conducting an operation in the Boston area. Officials said they are targeting "the worst of the worst," but Oswaldo's family emphasized that he has no criminal record.
The family expressed their fear of being arrested, especially after Oswaldo's father was taken into custody last week but released after proving his immigration status.
So far, ICE has released seven names of people it has detained. The agency has not commented on Oswaldo's case.