Family Claims They Were 'Terrorized' By Federal Agents (KTLA-CA)

Family Claims They Were 'Terrorized' By Federal Agents
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KTLA News
5:29 p.m. PDT, August 1, 2011

NORCO, Calif. (KTLA) -- A family claims they were beaten by federal agents during a 'botched' drug raid and now, they're fighting for their rights to stay in the U.S.

On July 19, agents with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSE) went to Carmen Bonilla's residence on Corona Avenue in Norco, armed with a search warrant related to a drug-trafficking investigation.

Carmen Bonilla and seven other relatives, including a two-year-old and a 17-year-old were at the house when the agents showed up.

Bonilla claims they were terrorized by the agents who allegedly forced them to lay face down on the ground with guns pointed at their heads.

In addition, the family says they were beaten, kicked, scratched and yelled at by the agents.

ICE has not confirmed or denied the discovery of any drugs, but the family says no drugs were found.

During the incident, agents learned that eight of the home's occupants were in the country illegally and now they're fighting deportation.

The Coalition for Humane Immigration Rights of Los Angeles has since stepped in to help.

The family now has an immigration lawyer -- Jessica Dominguez -- who will be representing them in court on Tuesday to fight deportation charges.

The allegations made against the agents are being investigated by ICE's Office of Professional Responsibility.