A recent immigration arrest in Michigan has sparked controversy online after a video emerged showing federal agents allegedly using excessive force during the apprehension of a Cuban national.
The incident took place around 9:00 a.m. on March 4 in the parking lot of Aspen Chase Apartments in Ypsilanti Township. Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), along with other federal agencies, were involved in detaining two men during an operation targeting a Cuban citizen identified as Rodolfo Pérez Calunga, according to the U.S. outlet MLive.
Gloria Sendejo, an activist who recorded the video, can be heard repeatedly alerting others about the situation.
"They are hitting him... they are hitting him," she exclaims throughout the footage. In another part, she claims the agents "sprayed him with gas and are hitting him," mentioning that one officer wielded a baton.
Sendejo later described witnessing several agents pinning one man to the ground while pulling another out of a vehicle. She asserted that the detainee had already been hit and pepper-sprayed before being subdued.
"They had already hit him. They had pepper-sprayed him. They jumped on him," Sendejo recounted, as reported by MLive.
The video also captures shouting and confusion among onlookers. At one point, Sendejo asserts that one of the men was a U.S. citizen as the agents continued the arrest.
ICE's Response
An ICE spokesperson confirmed to MLive/The Ann Arbor News that the agents were conducting a vehicle stop specifically targeting Pérez Calunga.
According to the official statement, a second man, described as an "agitator" and a U.S. citizen, allegedly attempted to block the arrest by obstructing the driver's side door of the Cuban's vehicle, hindering the agents' efforts.
"He declared that he would not allow agents to arrest Calunga," the spokesperson stated.
Authorities also acknowledged the use of pepper spray during the operation, but they denied that the baton some witnesses claimed to have seen was used against the detainees.
Status of the Detained Cuban
Court records referenced by MLive indicate that Pérez Calunga has no pending cases in Washtenaw County or in federal or Wayne County courts.
He is currently being held at the North Lake Correctional Facility in Baldwin, which serves as an immigration detention center.
The other man arrested is under investigation for allegedly obstructing a federal agent, though ICE has not confirmed whether he was later released.
Escalating Immigration Tension
This case arises amidst a backdrop of increasing immigration operations in Michigan. Local media report that ICE arrests in the state nearly tripled in 2025, with thousands detained, many without criminal records.
In recent months, operations have been reported near residential communities and schools in the Ypsilanti area, raising concerns among activists and organizations monitoring immigration authority activities.
Meanwhile, the video of the Cuban man's arrest continues to circulate on social media, reigniting debate over the tactics employed in U.S. immigration operations, particularly those conducted in residential areas and during daylight hours.
Key Questions About ICE Operations in Michigan
What sparked the controversy in the Michigan arrest?
The controversy arose from a video showing federal agents allegedly using excessive force during the arrest of a Cuban national, which included hitting and pepper-spraying the detainee.
Who was the targeted individual in the ICE operation?
The operation targeted Rodolfo Pérez Calunga, a Cuban citizen, during a vehicle stop in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan.
Were any weapons used during the arrest?
While pepper spray was confirmed to have been used, authorities stated that the baton reported by witnesses was not used against the detainees.