Deaf LA Teenager Alleges Assault by Immigration Officers

Anthony Paredes says he was tackled and arrested for not heeding commands during a protest in downtown LA.

Feb. 2, 2026 at 4:31pm

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An 18-year-old deaf high school student in Los Angeles, Anthony Paredes, says he was assaulted and taken into custody by federal immigration officers during a protest last month. Videos show armed agents chasing and tackling Paredes to the ground, as bystanders can be heard yelling "He's deaf! He cannot hear!" Paredes says the encounter was "frustrating to navigate" and that his requests for an interpreter and to use the bathroom were ignored after he was arrested.

Why it matters

The incident has sparked outrage among educators and community organizers, who say Paredes' civil rights were violated due to his disability. They are planning to file a claim and lawsuit against the government, arguing that federal immigration agents need better training to interact with the deaf community.

The details

Paredes, a high school senior at the Ramón C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts, says he was protesting in support of others who have been "brutally murdered" by federal immigration enforcement. He claims the DHS agents targeted him because he is deaf. After being tackled and taken into custody, Paredes says no sign language interpreter was provided and his requests to use the bathroom were ignored.

  • The incident occurred on January 24, 2026 during a protest in downtown Los Angeles.
  • A rally in support of Paredes was held on January 31, 2026 in front of the LA Unified School District headquarters.
  • Paredes' court date is set for April 1, 2026.

The players

Anthony Paredes

An 18-year-old deaf high school student at the Ramón C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts who was allegedly assaulted by federal immigration officers during a protest in Los Angeles.

Guadalupe Diaz

Paredes' mother, who expressed concern that federal agents did not provide her son with an interpreter during the incident.

Ron Gochez

An LAUSD teacher and organizer with Unión del Barrio, who spoke at the rally in support of Paredes.

Ingrid Villega

An organizer with United Teachers Los Angeles, who called for all charges against Paredes to be dropped.

Lupe Cardona

An LAUSD teacher who praised educators for criticizing ICE and ensuring a better world for all students and community members.

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What they’re saying

“As educators, we have the responsibility to not only teach our children in the classroom, but to defend our kids on the street as well.”

— Ron Gochez, LAUSD teacher and organizer with Unión del Barrio

“We should not be attacked for trying to ensure that there is a better world out there for all of us, because every single student, all of our community members, enrich our communities.”

— Lupe Cardona, LAUSD teacher

“He was exercising his constitutional right as a student, a human being, and a citizen in this country. But laws here don't matter anymore. As educators, we are asking that all charges be dropped; that both the union and LAUSD use all their resources and relationships to ensure all the charges be dropped against Anthony.”

— Ingrid Villega, Organizer with United Teachers Los Angeles

What’s next

A court date for Anthony Paredes is set for April 1, 2026, where supporters plan to attend and advocate for the charges against him to be dropped.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for better training and sensitivity from federal immigration enforcement when interacting with individuals with disabilities, as well as the importance of the deaf community's right to access interpreters and have their civil rights protected during encounters with law enforcement.