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LOS ANGELES POLICE MISTAKENLY ARRESTS INS AGENTS
This past Monday two INS agents filed suit against the Los Angeles Police Department for violations of their civil rights.  They say they were attacked by a gang of 10 officers who eventually arrested them, but not before subjecting them to physical abuse.  
This story comes hard on the heels of the revelation that the LAPD and the INS worked together to obtain the deportation of at least 40 people who had witnessed inappropriate police actions.  It also comes as a federal investigation into corruption of the LAPD Rampart unit begins. 
According to the INS agents, Shawn Butler and Ezequiel Garcia, on January 11, 1999, they were working undercover when approached by the 10 police officers.  They say that Butler was first approached, and was handcuffed and arrested, despite repeatedly showing the police his INS identification.  Garcia then came to the scene to explain that the agents were working undercover, but his explanation did not have any effect.  Instead, the police officers threw him to the ground, causing an injury to his shoulder.  He also was handcuffed and arrested, even though he also showed his INS badge. 
Butler, who is black, and Garcia, who is Hispanic, claim they were singled out because of their ethnicity.  Butler said in a statement that upon reviewing the incident “I cannot help but conclude that I was disbelieved because I was an African American in a nice car in an area where the police did not believe that I belonged.”  Garcia added “I never dreamed that I could be so betrayed by fellow peace officers.  If this could happen to me then ordinary citizens have even more reason to fear for their safety.” 
Butler is seeking .5 million in damages, while Garcia seeks .5 million. 
The officers who allegedly attacked them are part of the Rampart division, although not the same section that is currently under investigation. 
The improper deportation charges have also led to a lawsuit.  Four immigrants have sued the LAPD and the City of Los Angeles over the allegations of collusion with the INS, claiming their civil rights were violated.