Kenny Laynez-Ambrosio, an 18 year old U.S. citizen, filmed his brutal arrest while on his way to work a landscaping job with his mother and two friends in West Palm Beach when they were stopped by Florida Highway Patrol.
Seconds after the encounter, highway patrol officers called for backup and moments later, U.S. border patrol arrived on the scene. After asking if anyone in the car was undocumented – one of the men in the vehicle replied with yes – another officer reached into the car from the window and opened the door. The officers then forced the men inside the vehicle out by dragging one out in a chokehold and using a stun gun on another.
Laynez let the officers know he was a U.S. citizen with rights however the officers responded by telling him “You have no rights, you’re a migo brother.”
After the arrests, Laynez’s phone kept recording and you can hear the cops rejoice, saying things like “woo” and “nice,” with one of the officers making light of the arrests, calling the use of the stun gun “funny.” Another officer claimed “we’re gonna end up shooting some of them,” referencing undocumented migrants and individuals they may confuse as immigrants.
Another officer could be heard bringing up a $30,000 bonus, saying “you can smell that $30,000 bonus.” It is unclear as to what bonus they are referencing.
After the arrests, Laynez and his two friends were taken to a federal facility where he was put in a room and interrogated for his phone password. According to Laynez, when he refused to unlock the phone for an officer, they began threatening to press charges against him.
Laynez claimed that once he arrived at the facility, he saw rows and rows of men, most who spoke Spanish and wore work attire such as construction clothes. According to Laynez, the men had been detained for hours without water or food, forced to use one toilet without any doors or covers.
Additional Information:
Migo is a shortening of the Spanish word “amigo.” The literal translation of the word means friend, however the word shortened to “migo” is used as a slur against Latinos in the States.
The racial and ethnic discrimination in Florida is growing, especially after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that allows state police officers to execute ICE’s immigration enforcement duties and responsibilities.
