Two families have filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over a 2008 immigration raid targeting Annapolis Painting Services. The plaintiffs are alleging police brutality and the violation of their civil rights and they are seeking $2.5 million in damages.
With the help of immigrant advocacy group CASA de Maryland, spouses Pablo Alvarado and Ingrid Munoz and siblings Elizabeth Gallegos-Torres and Natalia Pelaez-Torres have filed their complaint in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. All of the plaintiffs live in Annapolis.
On June 30, 2008, 75 federal agents and dozens of Anne Arundel County cops rounded up workers that they suspected were undocumented. More than a dozen homes, as well as the Annapolis Painting Services offices, were raided.
The plaintiffs, who say they sustained severe emotional distress, claim that during the raid. armed officers went into homes without probable cause, consent, or a proper warrant. They also contend that they were:
• Woken up in the middle of the night with shouts and banging on doors.
• Grabbed and pushed while they were detained and searched.
• Bullied and threatened.
• Handcuffed or shackled.
• Detained for weeks without being notified that they had the right to speak to a lawyer.
It is important for the public to know that police brutality or any other type of excessive use of force by a law enforcement official is against the law and may be a violation of that person’s civil rights.
Granted, situations where altercations and/or arrests are involved can get out of hand or confusing. It doesn’t matter. If you believe that you were a victim of Maryland police brutality, you should speak with an experienced Anne Arundel personal injury law firm immediately.
Families File Federal Lawsuit in 2008 Immigration Raid, Greater Annapolis Patch, August 9, 2011
Immigrant group sues ICE agents, Hometown Annapolis, August 9, 2011
Related Web Resources:
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
More Blog Posts:
$10M Montgomery County Wrongful Death Lawsuit Accuses Police of Excessive Use of Force, Maryland Accident Law Blog, March 29, 2011
Columbia Man Files Third Lawsuit Against Police Alleging Howard County Police Brutality, Maryland Accident Law Blog, February 19, 2011
Arnold Man Convicted of Hindering Cop Who Shot Him Plans to File Anne Arundel County Personal Injury Lawsuit, Maryland Accident Law Blog, June 10, 2010