A U.S. citizen was detained by federal Border Patrol agents and Florida Highway Patrol, according to a video WPTV obtained from the Guatemalan-Maya Center.
The video from the nonprofit, based in Lake Worth Beach, also shows the tactics law enforcement are using to arrest undocumented migrants in South Florida.
WATCH: Video shows tactics used to arrest undocumented migrants
Those tactics include Border Patrol agents working side-by-side with state troopers, where troopers pull over the vehicle for a commercial vehicle inspection, then Border Patrol can question people within the car.
WPTV first reported on this technique back in April, after advocates voiced concerns about racial profiling. But the video also shows an American citizen being detained by border patrol agents during the stop.
Kenny Laynez-Ambrosio, 18, is now facing charges of obstruction without violence after a landscaping truck was pulled over on Singer Island on May 2. The Guatemalan-Maya Center told WPTV he was put in a detention facility in Riviera Beach after he was arrested, even though he was a citizen.
Regardless, court records show he'll do 10 hours of community service and anger management courses to defer prosecution. WPTV reached out to State Attorney Alexcia Cox's office about the decision to prosecute the teenager after he was held in a detention center for several hours. We're still working on getting a response.
State
Advocates warn about these vehicles being targeted in immigration enforcement
"The courage of Kenny exposes the lawless violence of the state (our demoralized state) from inside the belly of the beast," said Father Frank O'Loughlin, leader of The Guatemalan-Maya Center.
After the arrest, the video shows law enforcement officers discussing undocumented migrants as "stating to resist more" and even saying "we're going to end up shooting them," because if the number of arrests continues, people are going to start fighting.
The video also shows one law enforcement officer make jokes about getting a $30,000 bonus. WPTV on Friday asked Gov. Ron DeSantis about any incentives for law enforcement related to arresting undocumented migrants. He dismissed those allegations.
"Have you seen how many illegals have been apprehended by state law enforcement?" DeSantis said. "Thousands and thousands. Do you honestly think we could underwrite a $30,000 check for each illegal that was apprehended with those massive numbers?"
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson sent WPTV the following statement:
On May 2, 2025, several adult male illegal aliens from Guatemala were arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents responding to a request for assistance from Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Troopers conducting a vehicle stop near John D. MacArthur Beach State Park in North Palm Beach, FL. During the encounter, several of the illegal aliens resisted arrest, resulting in a USBP agent deploying a taser.
Law enforcement is facing a surge in assaults while doing their jobs—enforcing the law. Make no mistake, if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
In accordance with CBP policy, all use of force incidents are reviewed by CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility.
Florida Highway Patrol didn’t respond to WPTV’s request for comment.
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