No deal reached in case of alleged abuse by agents

GRAND RAPIDS, March 19, 2014 (AP): After more than three hours of discussion, attorneys didn't reach a settlement in a lawsuit that accuses immigration agents of abusing a Latina and her son in Grand Rapids.

Records show lawyers for the government and Luis and Telma Valdez met privately Monday with a federal judge.

Luis Valdez is a U.S. citizen, and his mother Telma is a permanent resident. They say agents drew guns, handcuffed them and interrogated them when they arrived in a car to see a relative's dog in 2011.

Their lawsuit says an agent threatened them to keep quiet when he realized they're legal residents. The government denies many of the allegations. The government also says the agents have immunity, even if a judge finds they may have violated someone's rights.

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Revised: 03/25/14 05:16:34 -0800.