Vancouver ICE Arrest Sparks Protests, Allegations of Excessive Force
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A demonstration involving over 100 individuals took place in downtown Vancouver on Monday, December 8, to protest the December 4th arrest of Jose Paniagua Calderon by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The protest centered on claims that ICE officers used excessive force during the arrest, allegedly fracturing Paniagua Calderon’s foot with an agency vehicle.
Just over a hundred people gathered outside Vancouver City Hall, chanting and displaying signs to condemn the detainment of Paniagua Calderon. The incident has ignited public outcry and prompted an investigation by the Vancouver Police Department.
Arrest and Family’s Account of Injury
According to family members, ICE officers arrested Paniagua Calderon on December 4th on Fourth Plain Boulevard, a corridor known as Vancouver’s international district. The family alleges that during the arrest, an ICE vehicle drove over Paniagua Calderon’s foot, causing a fracture. A cellphone video of the incident appears to show an SUV moving near the man while he was on the ground and screaming.
During a video call from the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, where Paniagua Calderon is currently being held, his sister-in-law, Carmen Paniagua, shared his condition. “He was there on Dec. 4, and they barely gave him his medication yesterday,” she stated at Monday’s protest. “But it’s not helping with the pain; it only makes him sleepy.” Carmen relayed that Paniagua Calderon, 27, finds strength in the outpouring of support from his family and community.
DHS Disputes Allegations
The Department of Homeland Security has vehemently disputed the family’s claims. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a statement on Sunday, calling the allegations “FALSE.” McLaughlin asserted that Paniagua Calderon “launched into an Oscar-level performance, dramatically screaming while officers simply moved his vehicle off the roadway.” The statement further claimed that Paniagua Calderon “walked around normally immediately after without issue” and that a medical evaluation, including X-rays, revealed “ZERO fractures, dislocations or injuries.” McLaughlin characterized the situation as “Pure theatre. No Injury.”
Public Reaction and Investigation
The video of the arrest quickly circulated on social media over the weekend, prompting widespread condemnation. Washington Senator Patty Murray issued a statement criticizing the incident. The Vancouver Police Department announced it would conduct a traffic investigation to determine the facts surrounding the arrest. “Based on the information regarding a vehicle that is alleged to have struck a person within the city limits of Vancouver, per our policy, the Vancouver Police Department will be conducting a traffic investigation to determine the facts,” the department stated.
Increased ICE Activity and Community Concerns
ICE activity has reportedly increased in Vancouver in recent weeks, particularly along the Fourth Plain corridor. Alan Unell, an organizer with the Vancouver Indivisible chapter, described the situation as “a terror action by the Trump administration,” adding that he receives daily reports of individuals being apprehended by ICE in Vancouver.
A GoFundMe campaign established by Carmen Paniagua over the weekend had raised more than $22,000 as of Monday to help cover legal fees. The family is actively seeking legal representation. Jose’s brother, Cristian Paniagua, reported that the family has received threats since speaking publicly about the incident, but they remain committed to advocating for his release and justice. “Nobody should be treated like an animal,” he said. “Nobody should be treated like that.”
