Immigration-rights activist detained in O.C., marked for deportation

An Orange County immigration-rights activist who had led protest marches across California was taken into custody and detained this week, and now is potentially facing deportation hearings.

Luis Bravo, 22, was released hours after he was taken into custody at his Costa Mesa home during the early morning hours Thursday, but then released several hours later when supporters protested.

Two agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement took Bravo to ICE’s Santa Ana office “to be photographed and processed, and they prepared paperwork to initiate deportation proceedings,” said ICE spokeswoman Virginia Kice.

“It will be up to the immigration court to determine whether Mr. Bravo has a legal basis to remain in the U.S.,” according to a statement released by ICE.

Bravo, a coordinator with Orange County Congregation Community Organization and Immigrant Youth United, was taken into custody based on a lead provided by ICE’s Fugitive Operations Support Center, according to a statement from ICE.

“He was arrested, here unlawfully, and because of a prior conviction for DUI he was targeted,” Kice said.

Bravo was convicted of driving under the influence in May 2013. He says he was born in Mexico and is not a U.S. citizen.

Bravo’s father, Enrique, a longtime immigrant-rights activist, said the two officers did not identify themselves as ICE agents. Bravo said they didn’t ask for him when they went to his door.

“It was sneaky. He came up here asking for someone else,” Bravo said.

When Bravo went to the door, he said, agents went through a list of names and mug shots until they identified him. Agents then escorted him to an unmarked car but did not tell him what was happening, he said.

“You’ll find out when we get there,” Bravo said an agent told him.

Some community members Thursday questioned whether the detainment was a way to intimidate the outspoken family. This is the first time a member of the family had been detained.

Two days before he was detained, Bravo conducted a meeting with Costa Mesa police officers focusing on building trust between law enforcement and the immigrant community.

Harold Pierce writes for Times Community News.