WATCH: Bakersfield resident captures confrontation with Border Patrol agent
Jan 10, 2025
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- Video recorded by Ernesto Campos, a United States citizen, shows federal immigration agents detaining him after slashing his tires.
"I don't know why he popped my tires, he already had my ...," says Ernesto Campos in the video.
"He had a reason," answers an agent.
"He already had my license," pleaded Campos.
A 44-year-old father of four, Campos, has lived in the U.S. for 30 years and became a citizen over a decade ago. He's lived in Bakersfield for over 20 years and owns a landscaping business with four employees.
He was driving to work when an unmarked car turned its patrol lights on. Campos says he stopped, shut off his engine and gave agents his driver license.
When he wouldn't give them his car keys, they slashed his tires he told 17 News.
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In the video, Campos tells his coworker Isaias Alejandro to roll down the window, which he does.
"What's the problem," asked Campos.
"OK, I'm going to have to break your window, do you understand?" said the agent. "It's your fault. I'm going to have to break the window if you do not open it."
The agent then demands the door be opened and the passenger, Alejandro, to step out of the car to be detained.
"He's in the process of immigration. He has a lawyer," explained Campos.
"Oh! Abogado? Lawyer? That's good," said the agent.
The agent proceeds to collect Alejandro's belongings. Campos complains to the agent about slashing his tires.
"You have my license," says Campos. "Why am I going to take off?"
"I'm not going to argue with you, bro. You did what you did, I did what I did," said the agent.
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Campos was then detained.
"You're under arrest for now, for alien smuggling, a federal felony," said another agent. "I'm going to tell you, if you resist, we will have a fight. Is that what you want?"
Campos tried to explain Alejandro has an ongoing immigration case.
"The guy has a case," says Campos.
Campos was detained for about four hours and then was released when his citizenship was confirmed. He says he's still coping with the situation and only half of his employees showed up to work after the raids.