In an incident caught on camera in Key Largo that has sparked both concern and controversy, federal agents were filmed detaining a woman during a traffic stop yesterday morning. As reported by the Miami Herald, the footage shows the woman being forcefully removed from her vehicle and handcuffed while she pleads for help, claiming her U.S. citizenship.
The video, recorded by David Goodhue, a Miami Herald reporter, depicts an unsettling scene with the woman screaming as the agents, their faces covered, abruptly pull her from her Toyota Corolla. "I'm a U.S. citizen. Please help me! This is unfair. Why are you doing this to me?" the woman yelled on video, as she was surrounded by the agents, according to Goodhue's interview with 7News. The event unfolded in front of Pink Plaza at Mile Marker 103.4 and was witnessed by dozens of drivers, including Goodhue who stated, "I think they're asking her for her ID. Didn't appear like she had her identification on her, and then, after a while, things got rough, as you can see," as noted by 7News.
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office deputy was seen directing traffic while the federal agents conducted the detainment. Goodhue mentioned that various federal agencies were operating on the scene, noting, "It looked like [Immigration and Customs Enforcement], U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Border Patrol, with the local sheriff’s office doing some backup," as he told 7News. The woman was later released and allowed to leave in her own car after a brief stint in an agent’s patrol car.
While the Miami Herald noted that similar enforcement operations have been ongoing in the area for several weeks, the exact reason behind this particular detainment remains unclear. Goodhue, still grappling with the sight he witnessed and recorded, reflected, "I don't want to, you know, we're reporters and want to stay objective, but just happened to be there when that happened. I mean, it was pretty powerful to see, especially when it turned out, in the end, they really didn't have any reason to detain her," as captured during his recount to 7News. Multiple agencies, including ICE, CBP, and the Department of Homeland Security, have been contacted for comments on the incident but have yet to respond.
A protest is scheduled outside the Islamorada Public Library Branch in response to the incident, starting at 10:30 a.m. today. It comes at a time when community members are increasingly scrutinizing law enforcement practices. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office, in a statement obtained by 7News, indicated they were involved in the traffic stop merely "to help keep the peace and keep traffic flowing," stressing that the stop was led by federal agents.
