When Law Meets Medicine: A Clash at Ontario Advanced Surgery Center
In a gripping episode of law enforcement entangling with healthcare, a confrontation erupted at a Southern California medical facility on July 8. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed that agents were executing a targeted operation to apprehend two individuals accused of being in the country illegally.
A Honduran man, in a bid to elude arrest, found himself at the center of this dramatic standoff at the Ontario Advanced Surgery Center. Clad in a bulletproof vest and a mask, an ICE agent confronted staff as they demanded proper identification and a warrant.
Footage from the incident shows surgical staff in blue scrubs vociferously defending the Honduran man, whose emotional distress was palpable. “Get your hands off of him. You don’t even have a warrant,” one staff member insisted, attempting to shield the man from the agent’s grasp. “Let him go. You need to get out.”
After this footage gained traction online, the DHS reiterated the nature of their operation via a post on social media platform X, framing it as a necessary enforcement action. They claimed that the agents, identifiable by their clearly marked attire, approached a vehicle as the two alleged illegal immigrants exited. However, they curiously omitted details about the vehicle’s location, leaving the public guessing.
The man in question, identified by DHS as “Denis Guillen-Solis,” reportedly fled into the vicinity of the surgical center following his escape from authorities, sparking the ensuing chaos.
In a dramatic twist, the DHS accused medical staff of physically intervening in the arrest, alleging that they forcibly pulled both the officer and the alleged illegal immigrant into the facility, all while obstructing law enforcement access and even calling the police to claim a “kidnapping.” However, the DHS has yet to clarify whether any medical staff will face legal repercussions for their actions.
Located about 35 miles east of Los Angeles, the Ontario Advanced Surgery Center is a private medical establishment. Attempts to reach the center for comments went unanswered at the time of publication.
Advocates for immigrant rights, such as Javier Hernandez from the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, reported that the ICE agents ultimately succeeded in arresting the Honduran man, who had been supporting his family back home by sending money for his mother’s medical treatments.
This incident underscores a broader trend: as ICE intensifies its enforcement efforts, agents are expanding their reach into various public spaces, including immigration courts and workplaces. Just this week, the bishop of San Bernardino, California, permitted local parishioners to skip Mass obligations after ICE made arrests at two church properties within the diocese, which encompasses the Ontario community.
Contributions to this report were made by the Associated Press.
If you found this article interesting, please consider supporting traditional journalism
Founded 25 years ago from a humble basement in Atlanta, The Epoch Times has grown to provide fact-based, award-winning journalism to millions across the United States.
Despite facing threats, arrests, and assaults, our dedication to independent journalism remains steadfast. This year marks our 25th anniversary of reporting free from corporate and political ties.
We invite you to take advantage of our limited-time introductory offer—just $1 per week—and join millions who are already celebrating the value of independent news.
