The detention of a hotel housekeeper by federal immigration agents in a Mission Valley parking lot has sparked outrage and prompted reactions from multiple levels of government. Meanwhile, the San Diego Police Department clarified it did not participate in the operation.

 

The incident took place Thursday morning in the Hotel Circle area as a group of employees was starting their workday. In a video released by Fox News San Diego, Brenda, a visibly distressed housekeeper, is seen being taken into custody while a co-worker tries to comfort her.

 

Witnesses said Brenda is a single mother of an 11-year-old boy. “The hardest part was thinking about her son,” said a co-worker who asked to remain anonymous. She also stated that agents did not present a warrant and only showed a badge before leaving the scene.

 

ICE confirmed the arrest was carried out by agents with Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection, stating that Brenda was taken into custody for being in the U.S. without inspection. She was later released under supervision and fitted with an ankle monitor due to her responsibilities as a parent.

 

 

Brigette Browning, president of UNITE HERE Local 30 the union representing hospitality workers condemned the lack of legal safeguards: “If agents can just take someone without a warrant, what’s the point of all our ‘Know Your Rights’ trainings?” she said, adding that Brenda was working as a contractor.

 

The incident has raised concerns among Democratic lawmakers. U.S. Senator Adam Schiff warned that such actions “don’t make us safer,” while San Diego City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn criticized the federal government’s conduct, saying, “This is not responsible behavior.”

 

In the meantime, the union is working to secure legal representation for Brenda, who is now back home with her son. Both remain frightened and uncertain about what comes next.