GRAND RAPIDS — The ACLU of Michigan and the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center filed a federal lawsuit Thursday on behalf of a U.S. citizen and his mother, a legal permanent resident, who were allegedly illegally handcuffed and assaulted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents last year even though they produced driver’s licenses to prove their identities.

Telma and Luis Valdez were allegedly approached by ICE agents who ran toward them, pointing a gun. Despite showing licenses, they were handcuffed and placed in the car where an agent held a gun to Telma’s back and repeatedly hit her head against the trunk of the car, as agents yelled at her to admit she was “Irma” according to the lawsuit. They were both allegedly forced into an apartment and Telma was told she risked losing her legal status if she tried to do anything about what happened.

The Valdezes also accused the ICE agents of assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and false arrest and imprisonment.