Experts have warned that immigration enforcement actions may lead to violations of civil rights for both immigrants and citizens. Since the beginning of the Trump administration, there have been reports of U.S. citizens being detained by immigration agents. A report from ProPublica details 506 cases of U.S. citizens detained, including over 100 individuals questioned about their citizenship, with a significant number being people of color. The report also mentions at least 70 American children and teens detained, some handcuffed, and instances where citizens were held without access to legal representation or contact with family.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has denied allegations of indiscriminate arrests and racial profiling, stating that they do not arrest U.S. citizens by mistake. However, ProPublica's findings suggest otherwise, indicating that federal agents have detained citizens at a larger scale than previously reported. The report includes specific cases, such as a 21-year-old citizen detained at gunpoint in Philadelphia and an 18-year-old taken off the street in November.
ProPublica's investigation cataloged instances where individuals were held against their will by immigration agents, including those who were handcuffed or prevented from leaving. DHS has defended its enforcement operations as targeted and thorough, stating that they follow legal protocols when detaining individuals suspected of being in the country illegally or interfering with officers.