August 21, 2025 - SACRAMENTO – On Wednesday, Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, issued the following statement about an arrest made by federal law enforcement in Encinitas outside an elementary school that was captured on video and posted on social media.

“I am horrified by videos I have seen of an apprehension made in my hometown of Encinitas by what appears to be federal police working for ICE.

The agents removed a father driving with his family members from the car that he had just pulled over to drop their daughter at school. Agents abruptly separated him from his child and family, without showing identification or providing a warrant, despite repeated requests by his family and the public to see a warrant signed by a judge. There was no reason given for his arrest. They didn’t even allow him to say goodbye to his family members before driving him off in an unmarked vehicle.

This is inhumane, barbaric and lawless. We should all be outraged.

What this video shows, just like so many other videos, is a police state in which civil liberties and constitutional protections are brushed aside, and that any person can be apprehended on the street without probable cause for arrest. Every person in California and this country should be outraged by the overreach and lack of due process associated with this heavy-handed government action. It could happen to anyone. Our immigrant community is particularly at risk. 

This is shocking, unacceptable and undemocratic. Each of us needs to use our voices to demand change.”

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Elected in 2022, Sen. Blakespear represents Senate District 38, which covers northern San Diego County and part of southern Orange County. To learn more about the district and Sen. Blakespear, visit her Senate website. 

Source: Senator Catherine Blakespear