Feds' Aggressive Prosecution of Protesters Against ICE Backfires Nationwide, Court Decisions Suggest.
Federal prosecutors are struggling to bring convictions against protesters who have clashed with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in recent months. A string of cases, including two high-profile ones in Los Angeles federal court, have ended in acquittals or dismissals due to concerns about the government's handling of evidence and potential civil rights violations.
In one case, a jury acquitted Bobby Nuñez, a tow-truck driver who had hooked an ICE vehicle as part of a protest against the agency. In another, a judge dismissed charges against Carlitos Ricardo Parias, a TikToker who was facing assault and property damage charges after a confrontation with ICE agents.
Prosecutors' reliance on quick decisions based on word from Border Patrol agents is proving to be a recipe for disaster, according to experts. "This could have a generational impact on the credibility of law enforcement," said Christopher Parente, a former federal prosecutor in Chicago who represented Miramar Martinez, one of those charged with assault.
Parente's comments come as the Trump administration continues to crack down on protesters and journalists who question its immigration policies. The government has labeled opponents as "domestic terrorists" and subjected them to aggressive prosecution tactics that have backfired so far.
In recent months, federal prosecutors have filed charges against protesters in Chicago, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles, often relying on the testimony of Border Patrol agents. However, in each case, the evidence has ultimately failed to hold up in court, leading to acquittals or dismissals.
The Trump administration's approach to policing protests has been widely criticized as a form of "authoritarian" crackdown that undermines democratic values and chills free speech. As one former Justice Department official put it, "This is not what we do. We're supposed to uphold the law, not use it to silence people."
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Federal prosecutors are struggling to bring convictions against protesters who have clashed with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in recent months. A string of cases, including two high-profile ones in Los Angeles federal court, have ended in acquittals or dismissals due to concerns about the government's handling of evidence and potential civil rights violations.
In one case, a jury acquitted Bobby Nuñez, a tow-truck driver who had hooked an ICE vehicle as part of a protest against the agency. In another, a judge dismissed charges against Carlitos Ricardo Parias, a TikToker who was facing assault and property damage charges after a confrontation with ICE agents.
Prosecutors' reliance on quick decisions based on word from Border Patrol agents is proving to be a recipe for disaster, according to experts. "This could have a generational impact on the credibility of law enforcement," said Christopher Parente, a former federal prosecutor in Chicago who represented Miramar Martinez, one of those charged with assault.
Parente's comments come as the Trump administration continues to crack down on protesters and journalists who question its immigration policies. The government has labeled opponents as "domestic terrorists" and subjected them to aggressive prosecution tactics that have backfired so far.
In recent months, federal prosecutors have filed charges against protesters in Chicago, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles, often relying on the testimony of Border Patrol agents. However, in each case, the evidence has ultimately failed to hold up in court, leading to acquittals or dismissals.
The Trump administration's approach to policing protests has been widely criticized as a form of "authoritarian" crackdown that undermines democratic values and chills free speech. As one former Justice Department official put it, "This is not what we do. We're supposed to uphold the law, not use it to silence people."
The Intercept is committed to covering this story and other critical issues facing our democracy. Please consider supporting us with a donation or becoming a member today.
. The feds thought they could just bully protesters into submission, but it's like they forgot that the 1st Amendment is a thing 
. They're trying to silence people who speak out against ICE, and it's just not working. The prosecution tactics are so weak, they're practically begging for acquittals 
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. They're trying to stifle dissent and silence people who question their policies, but that's not how democracy works, fam 
. The courts are already speaking out against these tactics, and I'm loving every minute of it 
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. It's time for the media to hold the government accountable for their actions. We should be supporting and amplifying the voices of those who are protesting, not trying to silence them 
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. They're using Border Patrol agents' testimony against protesters, which is basically hearsay and super unreliable. It's like they think these agents have some sort of magic crystal ball that can determine what really went down at a protest 
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. The whole thing is just a mess.
I mean, can you even believe what's going on?! These protesters are just trying to stand up for what they believe in and the gov't is coming after them like they're some kinda criminals?! 
Are they just gonna keep on using these authoritarian tactics and hoping for the best? Because it's not working! And it's not just the protesters who are suffering, it's the rest of us too - we're living in a time where free speech is being curtailed and people are getting arrested for just expressing their opinions.
I guess that's just not gonna happen with the gov't's approach to policing protests. But I'm not giving up hope - I'll keep on ranting about it until someone listens! 
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. It's like, we're trying to fight for a good cause, not get caught in a trap ourselves 
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But at the same time, I want us to be careful not to let our passion cloud our judgment or lead us down a path of extremism 
. And honestly, thinkin' 'bout all these cases where charges got dismissed or acquitted... it's like the gov't is just tryin' to silence people who are speakin' out against their policies 
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. This kind of authoritarian crackdown undermines democratic values and chills free speech, which is exactly what we should be fighting against 
anywayz, this whole thing just goes 2 show how outta touch our gov is w/ the ppl & we need 2 be more vocal about our voices being heard 
and now theres these experts comin out sayin that this whole thing is a recipe for disaster 
. Newsflash: it's not workin', fam 
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Anyway, kudos to the experts speaking out against this authoritarian approach to policing protests. We need more voices saying no to this kind of silencing of free speech! 
The fact that two high-profile cases have ended in acquittals or dismissals because of concerns about evidence handling and civil rights violations is just crazy. 
And I get why experts are saying that the government's reliance on quick decisions from Border Patrol agents is a recipe for disaster - it's like they're not even trying to follow due process anymore! 
The way the feds are going around prosecuting protesters like they're some kind of common criminals? It's just wild. I mean, what even is the point of that? These people were just exercising their right to free speech and protest... and now we're seeing cases get dismissed because of evidence issues? It's crazy.
They're not the ones with the guns, they're not the ones with the power. And yet, here they are, facing charges and potentially years in prison just for showing up to a protest. It's just not right.
I mean, who do you trust? The guy on the other side of the fence or the actual people protesting on the ground? It's clear as day that this approach is flawed and it's going to lead to more issues down the line.
. Like, we need to be careful with our language and actions when it comes to freedom of speech and protests. We gotta protect that! 
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