California officials urged a federal investigation Monday after video surfaced showing federal immigration agents restraining a Long Beach man who later was taken to a hospital with reported injuries. The episode prompted a formal complaint from the city’s mayor and raised questions about how Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducts detainments in public.
City officials call for federal review
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson filed a complaint with the Department of Homeland Security after the incident occurred Saturday, saying the man "reportedly was subjected to repeated Taser use, forcibly restrained, and sustained significant injuries" during the interaction with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The mayor identified the man as Ricardo Gonzalez, describing him as a Long Beach resident, father and former city employee.
Rep. Robert Garcia, whose congressional district includes Long Beach, called the footage "incredibly disturbing" and noted that the man involved is a U.S. citizen. Garcia and local leaders are asking federal authorities to review the conduct of ICE officers at the scene.
What the video and police statements show
A short video shared on social media by StopICE.net captures the man pinned against a curb by several agents as he cries out for help. In the recording, he repeatedly complains of a broken arm and can be heard moaning in pain while handcuffed.
"Help me!"
Long Beach Police Department officers who responded to reports of a "large group disturbance" found the man handcuffed and bleeding while ICE agents were detaining him, LBPD said in a statement. Officers transported him to a nearby fire station where his handcuffs were removed and then he was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment.
Unclear circumstances, calls for transparency
Authorities have not released detailed information about the injuries sustained or what precipitated the encounter between the man and ICE agents. The Long Beach mayor’s complaint alleges use of a Taser and physical restraint; neither ICE nor the Department of Homeland Security had provided a public response to local officials as of Monday, and ABC News reported outreach to DHS for comment.
A family member told ABC News they had no comment at this time. Local police said they were on scene in response to the disturbance report and coordinated care after finding the man in custody and injured.
Local impact and broader questions
The incident adds to ongoing debates in California over the role and oversight of federal immigration enforcement within city limits, especially in jurisdictions that have policies intended to limit cooperation with ICE. Long Beach is among large California cities where community advocates and elected officials have pushed for clearer rules and greater transparency when federal agents operate locally.
Demands for an independent review reflect concerns about potential civil-rights violations, use-of-force policies, and the treatment of people who may be U.S. citizens or residents during immigration-related operations. Local leaders said they want federal investigators to determine whether agency protocols were followed and whether personnel actions are warranted.
Timeline of known events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Oct. 17, 2026 (Saturday) | ICE detainment took place in Long Beach; video posted on social media captured the encounter. Local police responded to a reported large disturbance. |
| Oct. 18–19, 2026 | Long Beach officers reported the man was handcuffed, bleeding and transported from a fire station to a hospital. |
| Oct. 20, 2026 (Monday) | Mayor Rex Richardson filed a formal complaint with the Department of Homeland Security; Rep. Robert Garcia called for investigation. |
What officials and the public want to know
- Whether ICE agents complied with federal use-of-force policy during the detainment.
- How and why the man was identified for detainment, given public statements that he is a U.S. citizen.
- What injuries the man sustained and whether medical care provided at the scene met standards.
Long Beach city leaders have requested information from the Department of Homeland Security and ICE about the operation. Federal agencies typically conduct internal reviews in response to use-of-force allegations and may coordinate with local law enforcement when incidents occur in municipal jurisdictions.
The video prompted immediate attention from advocacy groups opposed to ICE operations; activists often call for independent civilian oversight when federal enforcement actions result in injury or possible civil-rights violations. Local officials said they will continue to press for transparency while the federal review proceeds.
As the investigation moves forward, residents and community organizations in Long Beach are likely to follow closely for any developments, including statements from ICE, DHS and city officials about the circumstances of the detainment and the outcome of any internal or external inquiries.
— Kevin Nakamura, State Correspondent
