BREAKING: Masked ICE agents attempted to detain Jose in Downey, California, a gardener who has lived in the U.S. for 40 years, holds a green card, and has no criminal history.Jose stood up for his coworker. The entire neighborhood showed up, recorded everything, and stood united.ICE was forced to let them go. No senior should ever go through this. 😢

Community Stands United: Neighbors Prevent ICE from Detaining Longtime Downey Gardener with Green Card
In a dramatic display of community solidarity amid heightened national tensions over immigration enforcement, residents of a Downey, California neighborhood successfully intervened to stop masked ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents from detaining two landscapers on January 11 or 12, 2026. The incident, captured on video and widely shared online, highlights growing resistance to aggressive federal operations in Southern California following recent high-profile ICE-related controversies.

The attempted detention occurred on Ryerson Street in Downey, a suburb of Los Angeles. According to eyewitness accounts and reports from local media, the agents targeted two gardeners working in the area. One of the men, identified in community posts and neighbor statements as Jose (a common name in such accounts, though not always specified in official reports), has reportedly lived in the United States for 40 years, holds a valid green card (permanent resident status), and has no criminal history. His coworker was also said to possess valid work authorization documents, which he was carrying at the time.
Videos circulating on social media platforms show a tense confrontation: masked federal agents attempting to detain the workers, with physical scuffles ensuing as one landscaper and an agent went to the ground. As the situation escalated, neighbors quickly mobilized—rushing out of their homes, recording the encounter on their phones, and vocally confronting the agents. The crowd’s rapid response and unified stand reportedly forced the agents to release the men and leave the scene without making arrests.
One neighbor described the moment in a widely viewed post: “Because of my brother’s bravery and our neighborhood coming together to fight for what’s right—two workers were able to go home! This was on our street happening to people who have their papers and the right to work and make a better life!”
This event unfolded against the backdrop of intensified ICE activity in Downey over the weekend of January 10-12, 2026. Multiple incidents were reported in the area, including enforcement actions in a Home Depot parking lot where agents were filmed speeding away. The operations came shortly after a deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis and other controversial incidents that sparked widespread protests across Southern California, including large anti-ICE demonstrations in downtown Los Angeles.

Local residents and advocates expressed outrage, emphasizing that the targeted individuals were longtime community members contributing through their labor. Neighbors highlighted the fear such operations instill, particularly when they involve masked agents and appear to affect people with legal status. The incident echoes previous reports of ICE encounters with gardeners and landscapers in California, where workers with documentation have faced scrutiny during workplace or neighborhood sweeps.
Community members praised the rapid neighborhood response as a key factor in preventing the detention, with calls for continued vigilance. “We need to remain diligent,” one resident urged in a video post. “Our hero citizens from Downey kept the pressure on and saved two local gardeners who live in the area.”
No official statement from ICE has detailed the specific reasons for the attempted detention in this case, as federal agencies are not required to report such actions to local authorities. The episode underscores the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement tactics, community rights, and the role of bystander intervention in high-stakes encounters.
As tensions remain elevated nationwide, this Downey incident serves as a powerful example of how ordinary residents can come together to protect their neighbors. No senior—or any longtime resident—should face such fear in their own community. The story continues to resonate as a reminder of solidarity in challenging times. 😢🇺🇸