The family of a 15-year-old U.S. citizen has filed a $1 million damage claim against the Trump administration, alleging unconstitutional racial profiling during the boy’s detention outside Arleta High School in Los Angeles. The incident occurred on August 11, when federal agents mistakenly identified the disabled student as a suspect while he waited in a car for his sister.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the boy’s mother, Andreina Mejia, recounted how armed agents approached their vehicle and handcuffed her son. Despite her attempts to show identification, the agents only realized their mistake after several minutes. An officer reportedly joked that the boy would have an exciting story to tell his friends, which Mejia found deeply inappropriate.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security denied allegations of racial profiling, stating that the operation targeted a criminal illegal alien. They praised Mejia for her cooperation, which led to the arrest of the boy’s cousin later that day. However, attorneys for the family, including Luis Carrillo, argue that the cousin is not related and of a different nationality, emphasizing that the only resemblance was their skin color.
Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho expressed concern over the incident’s impact on the student, who is reportedly traumatized and fearful of future encounters. Carvalho stated, “He cries. He is upset. He is depressed. He keeps asking if this is going to happen again.”
The claim provides the government an opportunity to assess and potentially compensate the family. If denied, the family may pursue litigation. The incident has sparked renewed concerns about immigration enforcement near schools and the potential for racial profiling.
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