In an exclusive interview conducted by Local News Pasadena and originally published by The South Pasadenan, the family of Martin Majin-Leon has confirmed that their father, a long-time Pomona business owner, has been returned home after a Riverside judge released him from Border Patrol custody without bond. Upon advice of counsel, Majin was not available for photos.
The video of Majin’s arrest on April 22 went viral after the family was unable to determine why he had not opened his Pomona barbershop as usual. Upon checking the company surveillance cameras, they saw Border Patrol agents capturing their father and placing him at gunpoint in a van.
The release, handed down by a federal magistrate judge in Riverside County, cited Majin’s longstanding community ties, lack of criminal record, and significant property holdings in the region. The ruling came amid public outcry and heightened media scrutiny surrounding the manner of his arrest.
In an interview, Sheryl Turner from Local News Pasadena, in collaboration with South Pasadenan News, combined voices with official court records to paint a more nuanced and personal portrait of the man at the center of a story now capturing headlines across California and the nation.
Mr. Majin was detained on April 22 when federal agents surrounded him outside his barbershop in Pomona. Security footage posted on Miguel Majin’s Instagram account shows multiple agents confronting the elder Majin at gunpoint as he attempted to open the gate to his barbershop business. The family says no warrant was shown, and no information was provided for more than 30 hours.
“We had no idea where he was,” said son Miguel Majin. “No call, no paperwork—he just vanished. If we didn’t have cameras, we wouldn’t have even known what happened.”
The arrest sparked concern among local immigrant communities and gained additional attention when it was discovered that it occurred the same day as an ICE operation at a Pomona Home Depot involving over a dozen day laborers, as reported by KABC7.
Majin now faces a single federal charge under Title 8 U.S. Code §1326(a) for unlawful reentry following a 2003 deportation to Mexico. According to an affidavit filed by the U.S. Border Patrol, the 2003 removal came after his application for legal residency was denied due to an earlier unauthorized entry.
In 2009, while attending a final fingerprinting appointment for immigration processing, Martin Majin was detained and deported again, without appeal or notice to the family. He later returned to the United States and resumed his life openly under his legal name, including operating a licensed barbershop and obtaining a California-issued cosmetology license.
“He’s had a legitimate business for 20 years,” said his son. “He pays taxes, owns property, and contributes to the community. He’s not hiding.”
At his Riverside hearing, a federal magistrate declined to impose a bond, concluding that Majin posed no flight risk. The court considered several factors, including:
- His lack of criminal history
- Consistent tax filings and property records
- Two real estate holdings in his name totaling over $1.5 million
- Long-term employment and family ties in the Pomona area
“He has more to lose than gain by fleeing,” the judge noted, according to a source familiar with the proceedings. “There is no evidence of criminal conduct beyond the immigration matter.”
Majin was released pending his next court date on May 29, 2025.
Family Speaks: Fear, Anger, and a Call for Respect
The family told The South Pasadenan they were traumatized by the arrest, particularly given the military-style approach taken by federal officers and the lack of communication during detention. They also shared concerns about potential racial targeting of Latino communities.
“Why go in like that, with rifles?” asked his son. “He’s a barber. He has health issues. He needs insulin every day.”
The family says they had no idea how federal authorities located him and have raised questions about data-sharing between state agencies and immigration authorities. Majin recently updated his driver’s license with his business address, a detail some believe may have triggered enforcement action.
Medical Concerns During Detention
Majin has long suffered from type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, conditions that require multiple daily medications. His family feared for his safety during the 30 hours he was held without communication.
“No one asked if he needed medicine before they took him,” said his son. “We didn’t know if he was getting care or not.”
Through a written statement provided to The South Pasadenan News and Local News Pasadena, Mr. Majin expressed gratitude for the community’s support and emphasized that he is fully cooperating with the authorities.
“This is not just about me,” he wrote. “It’s about how we treat the people who live next door—barbers, parents, workers—people who are part of our communities.”
He added that he would provide further comment only after consulting with legal counsel and asked for privacy for his family, home, and business in the meantime.
Court Date Coming Up Soon
The case is far from over. Though released today, Majin still faces prosecution under federal criminal law at his next hearing on May 29. But for now, he is home.
His family and supporters say the release affirms what they’ve long argued—that “Our dad is not committing criminal evasion, but a man who built a life, contributed to his city, and deserves due process, not military rifles in his face.”
Thank you for reporting on this event in our neighboring community. It’s chilling to think how easily lives can be disrupted and potentially destroyed. In this instance, thank goodness, justice prevailed. I wish Mr. Majin-Leon good luck going forward with his May hearing, and a good outcome. And to all my neighbors at risk, safe journey through these harsh and alarming political times. We are in this together.
So he entered the US 3 times illegally. The first time was a misdemeanor, the second and third times are felonies. The normal sentence would be 5 years and then he gets deported. He took opportunity from people who followed the law and he deserves no sympathy.
Justice without mercy? We differ in our view of the weight of the value of a life that has been well lived for decades and supports family, community and the nation. And we differ in the way we view the application of justice. Judges have room for discretion — and mercy — in the application of the law.