Video from Montebello, California, shows several migrants scrambling across rooftops to escape a Border Patrol enforcement operation at a small construction site. Two people climbed a ladder onto a single-story home; one attempted to dislodge the ladder but an officer prevented it. DHS said the operation resulted in five arrests of people from Mexico and Guatemala, who will remain in custody pending immigration proceedings. Local reporting initially suggested no detentions, but DHS later confirmed the arrests and characterized the raid as part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration.
Dramatic Video: Migrants Leap Across Montebello Rooftops as Border Patrol Arrives
Video footage shows individuals scrambling across rooftops as federal law enforcement agents carried out an immigration operation at a construction site Jan. 14, 2026, in Montebello, Calif. The Department of Homeland Security said five illegal immigrants from Mexico and Guatemala were arrested during the operation.(Fox News)
Dramatic video captured several migrants scrambling across rooftops in Montebello, California, as they attempted to flee federal immigration agents during an enforcement action at a small construction site.
What Happened
The footage shows two individuals climbing a ladder onto the roof of a single-story home in Montebello on Wednesday, shortly after Border Patrol agents arrived outside the property. One person appears to try to knock the ladder down to prevent officers from following, but an officer held the ladder and propped it back against the house. The subjects then separated and jumped onto adjacent rooftops while fleeing the scene.
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Official Response
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson told Fox News Digital the incident occurred during a U.S. Border Patrol enforcement operation in the Montebello area. "These operations resulted in the arrest of five illegal aliens from Mexico and Guatemala who have all broken the immigration laws of this country," the spokesperson said. "These individuals will remain in custody pending further immigration proceedings."
Local Reporting And Context
Local outlet ABC7 reported that the workers' supervisor initially said no one had been detained; DHS later confirmed to Fox News Digital that five people were arrested. DHS described the operation as part of a broader effort to crack down on illegal immigration and said it is tied to planned, large-scale deportation efforts that have drawn political debate in sanctuary cities and other jurisdictions.
Note: The incident occurred in Montebello, a city in Los Angeles County. Video of the event circulated on social media and was shared with local news outlets.
The footage illustrates the risks and chaotic moments that can accompany immigration enforcement actions and has prompted renewed attention to federal immigration operations in urban areas.
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