Carbajal demands a transparent investigation and accountability
Salud CarbajalU.S. representative, in a letter dated October 29 and released October 30
Carbajal challenges the adequacy of the ICE account and demands an investigation, preservation of recordings and answers about identity verification, force and disability protocols.
“The detention of a U.S. citizen that reportedly left him hospitalized and requiring surgery demands a full, transparent investigation and accountability for any misconduct.”
Original text
Other statements by Salud Carbajal in this case
Every statement by Salud Carbajal
Where this statement fits
ICE detains a U.S.-citizen student with disabilities near Santa Maria High School; ICE says he resisted and disputes reports of broken bones
On October 21, 2026, ICE agents detained Erik Zepeda, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen and Santa Maria High School student with disabilities, as he walked to school, then released him. His former teacher says his wrist was broken in three places and needed surgery. ICE says agents believed he matched the description of their target, that he resisted and took a fighting stance, and that claims of broken bones are false. Rep. Salud Carbajal and Councilmember Gloria Soto call for an investigation.
Source and context
Original text
About this source
Original congressional letter dated October 29 and released October 30. It requests investigation and records; its description of the detention relies on reporting.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
His letter recounts reported injuries and acknowledges the agency's claim that the student matched a target and resisted commands.
After the quotation
He requests records and safeguards against wrongful detention and discriminatory enforcement. The letter does not establish an investigative finding.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is the detention and reported injury. Carbajal criticizes the adequacy of the ICE explanation and demands a transparent investigation and accountability for any misconduct.
- Recorded on
- Published here
More from this case
Read the full caseBonta's office declines to confirm or deny an investigation
“we can’t comment on, even to confirm or deny, potential or ongoing investigations.”Read statement
Savrnoch declines further comment on the investigation into the ICE incident
“I will not comment on the investigation.”Read statement
Gloria Soto calls the detention brutality and asks for an independent investigation
“This kind of brutality is not okay. There needs to be an independent investigation into how a case of mistaken identity ended with a student hurt this badly.”Read statement
Share or embed this statement
The embed keeps its attribution link to The Dispute Index. Credit the image to The Dispute Index and link to the statement page.
Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Carbajal demands a transparent investigation and accountability
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/events/7956-carbajal-challenges-the-adequacy-of-the-ice-account
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "Carbajal demands a transparent investigation and accountability". First published: 2026-11-03. Last updated: 2026-11-03. https://disputeindex.com/events/7956-carbajal-challenges-the-adequacy-of-the-ice-account