UPDATE: In a significant legal development, felony charges against two Ontario healthcare workers have been dropped following their intervention during an ICE raid earlier this year. Jose Ortega and Danielle Davila, employees of the Ontario Advanced Surgical Center, are now facing only misdemeanor charges after the U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed the reduction.
The incident occurred in July 2023, when Ortega and Davila intervened as federal agents attempted to arrest landscaper Denis Guillen. Video footage captured them stepping in to protect Guillen, sparking widespread community support and debate over immigration enforcement practices.
Ortega and Davila were initially charged with assaulting federal officers and conspiracy to interfere. However, after their legal teams opted to challenge the charges, the felony counts were officially dropped, leading to a shift in their legal strategy. “It is a political arrest. It’s obvious,” stated Carlos Juarez, Ortega’s attorney. “Our community, Latinos, have been targeted. It’s a political ploy on the part of Washington.”
Following the decision, Davila expressed heartfelt gratitude to supporters gathered outside the Riverside Federal Courthouse. “It’s been really incredible to feel all the support, and I truly appreciate it,” she said. The legal battle, while lessened in severity, is not over. Both Ortega and Davila are prepared to continue fighting the misdemeanor charges.
“This was about following workplace protocol,” Ortega explained, asserting they were instructed to request identification and warrants before allowing agents into their facility. His comments underscore the ongoing tension surrounding immigration enforcement amid community fears.
Guillen, the target of the ICE operation, was subsequently taken to the Adelanto Detention Center and later chose to return voluntarily to Honduras. Despite the challenges ahead, Ortega and Davila maintain their commitment to standing up for their beliefs. “They did the right thing,” Juarez reiterated, emphasizing their readiness to act similarly if faced with the same situation again.
As communities react to these developments, the case remains a focal point in the ongoing discourse about immigration enforcement and healthcare responsibilities. Residents and advocates are closely monitoring the situation, which highlights the intersection of legal, political, and social issues impacting vulnerable populations.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as it unfolds. The implications of this case extend beyond the individuals involved, resonating deeply within the fabric of the community and the broader national conversation on immigration policy.
