Pregnant U.S. citizen in California detained by ICE

HAWTHORNE, Calif. (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - A U.S. citizen who is nine months pregnant was hospitalized upon her release from immigration custody after she was detained by federal agents in Hawthorne, California Sunday.

Now, 23-year-old Cary Lopez is speaking out from her hospital bed.

Lopez says the federal agents accused her of obstructing the arrest of her undocumented husband.

In a virtual call with an NBC affiliate in Los Angeles, Lopez tearfully explained what happens next.

"They had us all surrounded. I had lost my balance because he was kind of shoving me away from the door. That's when I kind of leaned forward, trying to protect the stomach. I was blocking the doors because they were trying to forcibly open them, but I told them they were on private property. They handcuffed me, but I can't fight back, I'm pregnant."

Cary Lopez

Lopez was told agents would be in contact with her about their allegations of obstruction. She said she wasn't given any documents or citations in connections to the arrest.