A widely circulated video depicting an arrest at an office for individuals with ongoing immigration cases has drawn significant attention and concern. The incident occurred at an office operated by a private surveillance company where people check in under the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP), as confirmed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In the footage, a man is seen pinned against a wall by three masked individuals on a downtown Los Angeles sidewalk, calling out for help in Chinese while pleading, “Help me… I-C-E.”
Identified in the video as “Jin Shan,” the man was heard responding to an onlooker who inquired about his identity while he was confined against a metal door.
Attempts by LAist to reach the man or his family have been unsuccessful.
As the arrest unfolded, three additional unidentified individuals approached the scene. They placed Jin Shan in the backseat of an unmarked car before driving away.
The dramatic video has ignited a flurry of comments and questions on social media regarding the circumstances surrounding his arrest. ICE, however, has not disclosed Jin Shan’s name or provided reasons for his arrest, nor have they confirmed whether he is still in custody.
An ICE spokesperson acknowledged the incident was indeed an arrest made at an ISAP office. They also indicated that the agency has been intensifying operations targeting individuals with final deportation orders through the ATD-Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP).
While a spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) referenced ongoing arrests of aliens within the ISAP, they did not clarify whether Jin Shan had a court order for removal.
The Intensive Supervision Appearance Program is designed as an alternative to detention for individuals whose immigration cases are underway. Participants in the ISAP program are required to attend regular check-ins and may be mandated to wear an electronic monitoring device.
This incident is part of a broader pattern where ICE is increasingly detaining individuals during routine check-ins with immigration officials. Immigration experts have previously described this trend as a “dramatic shift” in enforcement strategies.
According to ICE data, for every individual who remains in custody after initial detention by immigration enforcement officers, three are enrolled in alternatives such as ISAP, necessitating regular check-ins while their cases progress through the court system. More than 15,000 people were documented to be participating in such programs in the Los Angeles region as of mid-June.
Eyewitness accounts from the vicinity of the arrest indicate a deeply alarming scene. One bystander, who requested to remain anonymous due to concerns over potential repercussions from federal agents, indicated she was present in the city parking office when she heard Jin Shan’s desperate calls for help.
Upon stepping outside to investigate, she expressed her shock at witnessing the man being forcibly restrained against the wall.
“It was a very helpless situation,” she remarked. “They never identified themselves or explained why they were detaining him.”
The bystander described how the group, not wearing any law enforcement insignia, had even removed the license plates from their vehicle.
Expressing her concern for Jin Shan’s well-being, she said, “It was so unnecessary the way they dragged him. They lifted him off the ground from his legs and hoisted him into the air.”
Despite his pleas for assistance, she noted that Jin Shan did not display any aggressive behavior toward his captors.
LAist spoke with several nearby workers who confirmed that they had heard the distressing cries or were informed of the incident shortly thereafter. Many admitted they were unaware of the existence of an immigration office in the complex where the arrest took place.
To gain more insight into the context of Jin Shan’s arrest, an LAist reporter visited the ISAP office operated by the private company BI Incorporated. The office’s entrance is somewhat concealed, located down a hallway and upstairs, making it difficult for those with appointments to find.
Inside, a handful of individuals awaited their check-ins, filled with apprehension regarding their situations.
One attorney, who was representing a woman in that waiting area, requested anonymity due to fear of ICE repercussions. He expressed his concern after viewing the video of Jin Shan’s arrest, stating that while he had clients who had been detained previously, he had never witnessed someone being taken into custody directly from a check-in appointment.
The lawyer mentioned that his client was already experiencing anxiety about her appointment. “She’s scared to come because she’s heard those rumors about arrests happening during these visits,” he explained, referring to the recent escalation of enforcement actions.
The impact of such incidents extends beyond the individuals affected, raising alarm among those navigating the volatile landscape of immigration enforcement.
image source from：laist
