Martín Majín León, a longtime barber in Pomona, has been released from federal custody following his arrest by agents outside his establishment, Majín's Barbershop. According to NBC Los Angeles, Majín was detained on Tuesday last week, and the incident was captured on security footage, showing agents approaching him with weapons. He was held for several hours before being released on Thursday.
Despite his recent ordeal, Majín is now facing a complex immigration process, as he was once deported almost 20 years ago and subsequently returned to the United States illegally months later. "That's what the judge saw in my record: a healthy, hard-working family," Majín told NBC Los Angeles after his release. His family, now relieved, is currently seeking legal representation for their upcoming court date on May 29.
His son, Miguel Majín, explained to CBS News Los Angeles his father's contributions to society and their hopes for a favorable legal outcome. "We're hoping to get a good judge that will do research on his life here in the United States to check out his background to see that he's not a criminal" said Miguel. The Majín family has offered their house as collateral as part of the legal proceedings.
In a show of support for his father, Miguel Majín shared details of the arrest and its aftermath at a press conference, quoting from a letter penned by his father. "I’m a husband, a father and a small business owner who has lived and worked in California for over 39 years," read the letter, as mentioned by KTLA. Martín Majín highlighted his prolonged contribution to the community and his clear intention of cooperating with legal processes.
Meanwhile, U.S. Customs and Border Protection provided a statement regarding an operation on the same day of Majín's detention, confirming that nine additional individuals were taken into custody, along with an individual with an active arrest warrant. "Several of those apprehended had prior charges, including child abuse, assault with a deadly weapon, immigration violations, and DUI," stated Hilton Beckham, Assistant Commissioner, according to KTLA. The family continues to seek answers as they prepare for the next phase in Martín Majín's immigration case.
