A federal lawsuit has been filed against federal agents for allegedly using violent language to describe Latinos or immigrants during arrests. The lawsuit, filed by civil and immigrant rights groups, claims that agents from the U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have been detaining people based on their perceived ethnicity or class.

Allegations of Racial Profiling

The lawsuit includes video footage obtained from body-worn cameras, which appears to show agents using derogatory language to describe Latinos or immigrants. In one clip, an agent can be heard saying “tonk,” a term that refers to the sound made when a heavy flashlight or baton strikes an immigrant’s head. The lawsuit also includes text messages that allegedly show agents using racist slurs to describe Latino workers before making stops.

One of the plaintiffs, Brian Gavidia, said he was detained despite repeatedly telling agents he is a U.S. citizen. “They don’t give you even a chance to prove your citizenship. You’re brown and that’s enough to say you are an illegal immigrant,” Gavidia said.

Response from the Department of Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security has disputed the allegations, stating that their agents are focused on protecting the American people, not entertaining “performative outrage.” The department has previously stated that any claims of individuals being targeted by law enforcement because of their skin color are “disgusting and categorically false.”

The federal government is expected to file its response to the lawsuit before a federal hearing scheduled for September 24.

Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.