Illegal alien wins settlement after arrest

MOUNT VERNON, Wash., Nov. 29 (UPI) -- An illegal immigrant who says he was assaulted and illegally arrested by federal agents has won a $48,000 settlement from the U.S. government.

Customs and Border Patrol agents approached Isabel Valencia-Perez as he waited for his 6-year-old son at a bus stop in Mount Vernon, Wash., in 2006, and a physical confrontation led to his arrest, The Seattle Times reported Sunday.

Valencia-Perez claims the two "strange men" approached him wearing civilian clothes and did not identify themselves as agents. He said he became frightened and started to run, and an agent grabbed him by the arm, the Times said. Valencia-Perez said the agent slugged him hard in the eye, and they fell to the ground fighting.

After Valencia-Perez's arrest, county prosecutors considered filing criminal charges against the two agents, and the FBI began a civil-rights investigation into possible use of excessive force.

Federal prosecutors refused to comment on the settlement of Valencia-Perez's lawsuit, filed last year.

His lawyer, Manuel Rios, is trying to get him a crime-victim's visa that would allow him to become a legal resident in three years, the Times reported.

No charges were filed against the agents or Valencia-Perez, the Times said. Customs and Border Patrol said the agents were not disciplined.