ProPublica Investigation: Immigration Agents Detained Over 170 U.S. Citizens
WASHINGTON – Immigration agents have held more than 170 U.S. citizens against their will as the beginning of the Trump administration, according to a ProPublica investigation published today. The incidents, compiled through a review of lawsuits, court records, social media, and local media reports, reveal a pattern of questionable detentions and raise concerns about the scope of immigration enforcement within the United States.
ProPublica categorized the cases into two primary groups. More than 50 citizens were detained after being questioned about their citizenship, while approximately 130 were arrested following accusations of assaulting or impeding immigration officers during protests or other immigration-related arrests. Over a dozen of those arrested were elected officials. In manny of these arrest cases, charges were never filed or were ultimately dismissed.
The investigation also identified nine additional citizens who reported concerns about racial profiling after being subjected to extensive questioning by immigration officials. These included a member of the Mescalero Apache tribe who was asked for his passport while in a store, and a California man who received a second deportation order despite having been previously deported in error.
Researchers focused on incidents from the start of the current administration through October 5th, acknowledging limitations in data collection, especially in Portland, Oregon, and Chicago, where events were still unfolding. The review deliberately excluded cases involving detentions at airports or the border, and also arrests occurring after initial encounters with immigration agents that proceeded through the judicial system. Cases involving arrests of protestors by local police were also excluded, as those individuals had access to established legal processes.
ProPublica notes that the true number of detentions is likely higher, as the government does not systematically track these incidents.
propublica is seeking additional facts from the public.Individuals with relevant information or videos are encouraged to contact Nicole Foy via email at nicole.foy@propublica.org or on Signal at nicolefoy.27.
