Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers forcefully detained two suspected members of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua in Spokane, Washington, following a dramatic confrontation caught on video. The suspects, Jeison Ruiz-Rodriguez and his brother, Cesar Ruiz-Rodriguez, refused to exit their vehicle, prompting ICE agents to smash the windows and extract them by force.
Dramatic Arrest Captured on Video
The intense standoff was recorded by bystander Kayla Somarriba, whose footage shows ICE agents surrounding the car as the Ruiz-Rodriguez brothers refuse to comply with their orders. The two men were reportedly on their way to court for a felony harassment charge when ICE intervened.
“NO, NO, YOU CAN’T!” Somarriba is heard shouting in the video as ICE agents break the car’s windows and forcibly remove the suspects.
Criminal Background and Alleged Gang Ties
According to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, the brothers were arrested in December after allegedly firing a gun outside an apartment complex and threatening to kill someone. ICE later flagged them as suspected members of Tren de Aragua, a notorious transnational criminal organization linked to violent crimes across Latin America and the U.S.
Despite these allegations, Jeison Ruiz-Rodriguez’s attorney, Kyle Madsen, strongly denies any gang affiliation.
“Absolutely not, based on what I have seen,” Madsen told KOMO News. “There is nothing in the state’s discovery that suggests any gang-related activity or prior criminal history.”
Legal Debate: Did ICE Overstep?
The use of force by ICE agents has sparked controversy, with Somarriba and defense attorneys arguing that the brothers should not have been forcibly removed from the vehicle without a presented warrant.
“I don’t see any reason why the tactics they used needed to be used,” Madsen stated.
However, ICE defended its actions, emphasizing that the brothers refused to obey a lawful order.
“They failed to obey a lawful order to exit a vehicle, which resulted in forced entry by ICE officers,” an ICE spokesperson explained.
Even Madsen acknowledged that ICE had the legal authority to break the car windows, despite his objections.
“Law enforcement, and specifically ICE, does have the ability to break your windows if necessary,” he admitted.
Washington State Law and Immigration Enforcement
Madsen further argued that the Keep Washington Working Act limits local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration officers unless a clear connection exists between immigration status and the alleged crime.
“Under this law, local police cannot collect immigration information or share details with federal agencies unless there is a direct connection to a criminal act,” he stated. “In this case, I don’t see that connection.”
Legal Battle Over Deportation and Criminal Charges
Jeison Ruiz-Rodriguez is now fighting to have his charges dismissed, with a court hearing set for March 27. However, ICE officials argue that he was already flagged for deportation and should not have been released on bail in the first place.
Both Jeison and Cesar Ruiz-Rodriguez were initially granted bail last month but are now being held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma as they await deportation proceedings.
Conclusion: A Case That Raises Legal and Immigration Questions
This case has ignited a heated debate over the limits of federal immigration enforcement, the rights of detainees, and the growing influence of transnational gangs in the U.S.. While ICE maintains that its actions were lawful and necessary, critics argue that state laws and due process protections must be upheld.
With an upcoming court hearing and pending deportation proceedings, this legal battle is far from over. The outcome could set a precedent for how local and federal authorities handle suspected criminal immigrants in the future.