Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained a man at a strip mall at 8th Street and Vermont Avenue in Koreatown as he was arriving for work at Blendz Barbershop around 10 a.m., according to witnesses and a video from Union del Barrio.
Witnesses said four agents wearing vests that identified them as ICE arrived in two vehicles.
Another barber who works at the same shop said he saw the arrest as it happened.
“He was just walking in to work, and they got him,” Yosmar Franco said. “ICE agents tried to get into the shop, but my colleagues blocked the door. He was alone. I also had an appointment, but I left running after I saw what was happening.”
Lady Rodriguez, the detained man’s sister-in-law, identified him as Brandon Sneider Sierra, 27, a Colombian immigrant who lived in Koreatown. She said he had a work permit and Social Security number and had been working at the barbershop for two years.
He was also pursuing an asylum case in an effort to obtain permanent residency.
Rodriguez said she did not witness the detention herself and arrived at the shop after immigration agents had already taken him.
She said she does not know why he was detained.
“I feel terrible. He’s not a bad person. He didn’t come to this country to steal. He has no criminal record. He doesn’t hurt anyone. He only comes here to work and never took anything from anybody. He suffers from depression and anxiety, and I don’t know how he’s going to handle being locked up,” she said.
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to questions from The LA Local about why Sneider Sierra was detained.
Rodriguez said she is now trying to find out where he is being held.
“We really don’t have the resources to hire a lawyer. It’s very expensive,” she said.
Lily Li, who works at a massage business near the barbershop, said she doesn’t understand why he was detained.
“I feel shocked because he was a good guy. He always said hi and asked us how we were doing,” she said. “Now I’m thinking, should I start carrying my passport? Maybe a passport card would be easier to carry.”
She added that she doesn’t think the arrest will be good for her business or the surrounding ones in the strip mall.
“If people think ICE could be here, they’re not going to come,” she said. “That could really hurt us.”
