Anger boiled over on the streets of San Bernardino this week as community members denounced a federal immigration enforcement operation that ended in gunfire. On Saturday morning, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents pulled over a car during what they described as a targeted immigration stop. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the driver—an undocumented immigrant—refused to roll down his window, struck two agents with his vehicle and sped away, prompting one agent to fire at the fleeing car in “self‑defense.” None of the vehicle’s three passengers was hit.
The episode was captured on video by the driver’s son‑in‑law from the backseat. The footage shows masked agents smashing both front windows before the car accelerates. Martin, the son‑in‑law, told local reporters that the agents never identified themselves or produced a warrant and that his father‑in‑law drove off because he feared for his life. “I was thinking the bullets were going to run through the back window and hit any one of us,” he said. Later, CBP officers and San Bernardino police waited outside the family’s home for several hours but departed without making arrests; the family said they refused entry because the agents lacked a warrant.
On Monday, dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the San Bernardino Police Department to protest what they called an unnecessary escalation of force. “We know what it looks like when someone is coming in and using violence against our communities under the blanket of keeping the community safe,” activist Mary Valdemar said. Another protester, Luv Kaur, said the encounter “speaks volumes on the integrity of this federal department”. The crowd also accused city police of collaborating with federal agents. Police officials countered that, under California’s Values Act, they cannot assist with immigration enforcement and only responded because a crowd outside the family’s home posed a public‑safety concern. DHS complained that local officers briefly detained and then released the driver, calling it “another terrible example of California’s pro‑sanctuary policies”.
San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran added to the chorus of criticism, calling the DHS account “unverified and deeply troubling” and demanding a full, impartial investigation and release of all available footage. Civil rights advocates say the incident highlights broader tensions between federal immigration authorities and local governments. The driver, who has lived in the U.S. for 23 years, remains unidentified, but advocates note that his 18‑year‑old son and 23‑year‑old son‑in‑law are U.S. citizens. A separate Associated Press report cited by The Guardian noted that the video does not show agents being struck by the car and that San Bernardino police declined to arrest the driver because state law bars cooperation with immigration enforcement. DHS officials have nonetheless defended the operation, insisting that agents were assaulted and that local sanctuary policies “shield criminals instead of protecting communities”.
The clash underscores the growing friction between federal immigration crackdowns and California’s sanctuary protections. In recent months, raids and detentions across Southern California have sparked protests and accusations of excessive force. Protesters in San Bernardino say they will continue to demand transparency and accountability. “Justice must be transparent; trust must be earned — not forced,” Mayor Tran said. “We deserve answers, protection and peace of mind”.
