Law Enforcement Vehicle Detains Man After Warning of Impersonating Federal Agents

A Los Angeles man, Fernando Diaz, claims he is being used as a “scapegoat” amid heightened fears surrounding immigration enforcement. On Tuesday night, police in Huntington Park encountered a gray Dodge Durango that appeared to be a federal law enforcement vehicle due to its police-style visor lights and handheld radios.

Officers, upon further investigation, found a gun magazine in plain sight, leading to Diaz’s arrest. Initially taken in on a bench warrant for drunk driving, Diaz was charged with firearm possession.

The police later reported the discovery of possible federal immigration documents and personal records of unidentified individuals in the vehicle. In a statement, the city cited Diaz’s claims of having worked for Customs and Border Protection, though he has not been charged with impersonating an agent.

Diaz contends that he never claimed to be a federal agent and believes he is being scapegoated by politicians seeking attention from Washington. Diaz’s arrest comes amid widespread immigration raids that have sparked fear in communities across the U.S.

Videos circulating on social media show federal agents conducting raids without identification, which has raised concerns among civil libertarians and immigrant rights groups. These agents, often linked to the Department of Homeland Security, frequently wear masks and use unmarked vehicles, complicating accountability.

In response to the climate of fear, Huntington Park’s city council has passed a resolution requiring police to verify claims of federal immigration authority. The city, which is predominantly Latino, has postponed summer events due to anxiety from ICE raids in the area.

Local officials, including Mayor Arturo Flores, are questioning the transparency of federal agents and calling for identification to rebuild community trust. Diaz feels that these tensions have turned him into a “guinea pig.”

Though he was released without bail while given a chance to complete community service, the implications of his arrest and its surrounding circumstances weigh heavily on him. The next hearing for his drunk-driving case is scheduled for August 11.