The Laugh Factory director was arrested in front of his mother outside a Chicago comedy club by federal agents

A manager at the Laugh Factory in Chicago was arrested on charges of obstructing a federal immigration process, but his mother claimed agents “kidnapped” him in front of her.

The Chicago Police Department said it responded to a call of battery in progress outside the club at approximately 9:20 a.m. Friday, when they found federal agents involved in a physical altercation with two people. NBC Chicago I mentioned.

A Viral video The encounter shows federal agents taking night manager Nathan Griffin to the ground and placing him under arrest while onlookers yell at the agents to stop during the chaotic scene.

The video shows the director, his mother, Elaine Blaybone, and the agents in a physical struggle.

“Why are you doing this? Where are you taking him?” Bystanders screamed as Griffin was lifted from the ground and led into the car.

“Let’s see your face,” another person shouted.

Witness Will Kulich, who works nearby and knows the club’s manager, told NBC Chicago that he saw several cars stop and men grabbing a man who appeared to be Hispanic.

Kulich said the agents “jumped out of their car” and kidnapped the laugh factory manager while he was standing with his mother.

It’s not clear who started it, but at some point, agents were seen restraining the mother to the ground.

A Border Patrol spokesperson told NBC Chicago that Griffin was arrested after he “attempted to impede and obstruct federal officers,” and claimed he tried to slam the door of a federal agent’s car on the agent’s leg.

The Border Patrol said: “The person was immediately arrested and handed over to the FBI for investigation.”

His angry mother posted a Video on Instagram She told her followers that her son was “kidnapped by border guards in front of my eyes.”

“For those of you who don’t know, I was in Chicago visiting my son, and he was kidnapped by Border Patrol right before my eyes,” Plepon said.

“When I think about walking out the door in the morning, I don’t want to… because I don’t want to face the SUV and the screaming and the crying and the horrible things that I saw before I was dragged into the battle when someone tried to kidnap my son.”

The Laugh Factory’s night manager’s brother-in-law and mother have since launched a GoFundMe to help Griffin raise money for the legal funds.

“My brother-in-law Nathan was arrested by Border Patrol agents today in Chicago, even though he is a natural-born American citizen,” Tom Penny wrote.

“After being arrested and hidden throughout the system, he finally resurfaced approximately 4 hours later after being taken into FBI custody awaiting a hearing on a federal assault charge that could result in 8 years in prison if convicted.”

The GoFundMe has since raised more than $20,000 since it was created on Saturday.

“The amazing outpouring of support reminds us of the America we love. We can’t thank you enough!” Plybon wrote in an update on the fundraising page.