An elderly man, who sells Mexican snacks on the streets of Santa Ana, claimed he was handcuffed by Border Patrol agents on Tuesday despite having a work permit.
Francisco Bahena said he is now afraid to step out of his home after being left with trauma and bruises following an encounter with the federal agent.
A cellphone video showed a Fountain Valley police officer working to remove handcuffs from the left hand of the 82-year-old street vendor as firefighters stood nearby.
The same video footage showed Bahena had cuts to his right hand.
Leticia Morales, Bahena’s daughter, said the injuries happened on Edinger Avenue and Harbor Boulevard when the federal agents tried to detain her father.
“I’m feeling sad because it’s not fair,” she said.
Bahena explained to NBC Los Angeles in Spanish that Border Patrol agents approached him and placed him in handcuffs despite his efforts to explain to them that he had a valid work permit or a U Visa. Bahena also claimed that he has a city vending permit.
The man explained, after the agents verified his documents, they attempted to remove the handcuffs but were unable to do so.
“My hands began turning purple and felt numb,” Bahena said in Spanish.
Photos provided by Morales also showed bruising on Bahena’s hands.
Bahena’s grandson, who was with him at the time of the encounter, called Fountain Valley police, so an officer could come out and remove the handcuffs.
The Department of Homeland Security did not address the issue with the handcuffs but said in a statement, “Due to the presence of a growing crowd and the individual declining to allow agents to relocate him to a safer area, local law enforcement was called to assist in releasing him.”
“He’s scared. He doesn’t want to go back to the same place. It’s not the same,” Morales said, adding that his elderly father hasn’t been able to sleep.
The Fountain Valley Police Department said it was not involved with the Border Patrol operation, explaining that its officer tried to help Bahena by removing the handcuffs.
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