U.S. Citizen Hospitalized After Being Detained by ICE in Los Angeles

US citizen detained by ICE

Video sparks public outrage

Hospital confirms federal custody

According to Newsweek, a woman identified as Rachel Siemons, a US citizen, was hospitalized on Saturday after being detained by federal agents during an immigration enforcement operation at a Home Depot in Ladera Heights, Los Angeles County, California.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed to Newsweek that the woman was arrested for assaulting an officer during the operation.

The incident occurred as Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted a raid that ended with the detention of several undocumented immigrants.

Among them, according to authorities, was an individual with prior charges of theft, driving under the influence, and assault with a deadly weapon.

Witnesses Capture the Arrest

American Woman Hospitalized After ICE Detention Raises Questions https://t.co/EovKLG3BGj

— Desirae (@dhorton74) September 29, 2025

According to witnesses cited by NBC4 Los Angeles, Rachel Siemons was monitoring the raid when she was confronted by agents.

A video released by the outlet shows her struggling while shouting that she was an American citizen who had been born in the US.

“Let me go! I am an American citizen, I was born here,” she can be heard saying as she pleaded for someone to call her family and a lawyer.

The scene sparked outrage on social media and fueled controversy about ICE’s treatment of citizens and immigrant rights defenders.

US Citizen Detained by ICE Accused of Assaulting Officers

A US citizen & human rights defender identified as Rachel S. was abducted & beaten by ICE Trump regime forces in LA, then transported to the hospital and then a detention center, local rights defenders demand an investigation.

She is heard screaming: «Let me go! I am an… pic.twitter.com/1mw4nUuFzV

— Anonymous (@YourAnonCentral) September 28, 2025

The DHS explained that Rachel Siemons attempted to get too close to detained migrants in order to film them on her phone.

Agents reportedly allowed her to record but told her multiple times to keep her distance, according to spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.

When she refused and placed the phone directly in officers’ faces, she was arrested by Border Patrol agents.

McLaughlin added that during the arrest Siemons spit at officers, which escalated the situation.

Pro-Immigrant Activist Rachel Siemons Transferred to Hospital

US Citizen Hospitalized After Being Detained by ICE in Los Angeles – PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

The woman is a member of HILL Network, an organization dedicated to defending immigrant rights in Los Angeles.

“She goes there to protect day laborers. She’s there twice a week,” community organizer Quetzal told the outlet.

After her detention, Rachel Siemons was taken to Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital for medical care.

The hospital confirmed the presence of federal agents during her admission, though it declined to provide details due to privacy rules.

Controversy Over Federal Authority

The Los Angeles Police Department initially responded to reports of masked men at the hospital.

However, it later determined they were federal agents and left the scene.

According to NBC4, a witness reported that at least five trucks with about 20 ICE agents arrived at the Home Depot during the raid.

The operation ended with approximately eight people detained, including undocumented immigrants and two US citizens accused of interference.

DHS Response and Community Reactions

DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin issued a warning after Rachel Siemons’ incident:

“Let this serve as a reminder: anyone who interferes with or obstructs immigration enforcement, regardless of citizenship, will be arrested.”

McLaughlin also noted that agents face a rise in violent attacks, including a shooting in Dallas and disturbances in Broadview and Portland.

Cedars-Sinai Hospital reiterated that it could not provide patient details due to privacy laws.