Human Impact Project

We Found That More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days.

ICE agents were reported to have detained a pregnant woman at Karmel Mall in Minneapolis, holding her face-down on the ground while handcuffed and dragging her by one arm. Witnesses and bystanders screamed that she was pregnant and unable to breathe, while some pelted the agents with snowballs in protest.

ICE agents attempted to arrest 21-year-old undocumented Honduran immigrant Willian Castillo-Hernandez on October 24, 2025, despite not having a warrant for him. After he fled to his home, a multi-hour standoff ensued involving the FBI. Video evidence suggests ICE rammed his truck, contradicting ICE's claim that he rammed them. Castillo-Hernandez was ultimately arrested after negotiators convinced him to leave the house.

ICE agents arrested Hassane Barry, a 38-year-old asylum seeker from Guinea, on Preble Street in Portland on January 21st. Agents shattered the driver's side window of his car, spraying glass over his 1-month-old baby's car seat, and left his wife Nene and the infant alone in the vehicle in freezing conditions. The arrest was part of an intensified ICE enforcement operation in Maine, though Barry has no known criminal history and had filed for asylum upon arriving in the U.S. in 2023.

Geraldo Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old Cuban immigrant held in solitary confinement at Camp East Montana detention facility, died after guards held him down during an altercation. An autopsy ruled the death a homicide caused by asphyxia due to neck and torso compression. ICE initially claimed he attempted suicide, but witness accounts and medical evidence indicated guards applied pressure to his neck until he lost consciousness.

A 5-year-old boy named Liam, a student in the Columbia Heights School District, was detained by ICE agents and flown to a federal processing facility in Dilley, Texas. School Superintendent Zena Stenvik disputes federal claims that the child was abandoned, stating that community members and school officials offered to care for him while his family was present. The superintendent reports that ICE operations are affecting multiple students in the district and creating widespread fear in the community.

Three U.S. citizens—George Retes from California, Aliya Rahman from Minnesota, and Gina Christ from Minnesota—describe being violently detained by ICE and CBP agents during immigration enforcement operations. The incidents involved physical force, pepper spray, flashbangs, and prolonged detention without proper legal procedures, with charges ultimately not filed against any of them.

A family of three from Venezuela—parents Yohendry De Jesus Crespo and Darianny Liseth Gonzalez De Crespo, and their 7-year-old daughter Diana—were detained by immigration officers in a parking lot at Portland Adventist Health on January 16, 2026, while attempting to seek medical care for the child's nosebleed. The family, who entered the U.S. through a port of entry in California and have a pending asylum application, is now being held at ICE's South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas. Advocates note this marks one of the first confirmed detentions of an entire family unit in Oregon.

Federal ICE agents forced open the door to ChongLy Thao's Minnesota home without a warrant and detained him at gunpoint. Thao, a U.S. citizen for decades, was led out in handcuffs wearing only underwear and a blanket in subfreezing conditions while his young grandson watched. Agents later realized he was a U.S. citizen with no criminal record and returned him without apology.

Victor Cruz, a longtime Hillsboro resident with legal work authorization and a pending visa claim, was arrested by ICE on October 14 and detained in Tacoma, Washington. Democratic political leaders, his family, and his attorney contended he was unlawfully detained. A federal district court judge released Cruz on bond on Friday after an immigration judge had denied bail, ending what officials called his wrongful detention.

Walter Francisco Cerrato Cabrera, a 48-year-old Honduran deckhand who had worked on oyster boats for 20 years, drowned on December 18 while jumping into Bayou La Loutre to avoid U.S. Coast Guard agents who had stopped at the docks. Cerrato and a younger coworker jumped from their boat when agents approached, but Cerrato, who could not swim, drowned in the bayou. The incident occurred amid increased immigration enforcement operations in lower St. Bernard Parish.

Julien Pereira, a 26-year-old French tennis coach, was detained by U.S. Border Patrol and ICE after being denied entry to Canada while awaiting work visa paperwork. He spent a month in an ICE facility in Batavia, New York, where he experienced shackling, inadequate food and water, and harsh conditions before being released on bail and ordered to leave the U.S. within 15 days.

A federal agent sprayed mace at a woman protester standing in front of him outside the Portland ICE facility. The incident was captured on video and occurred amid ongoing demonstrations against federal immigration enforcement. Portland Police liaisons were seen collecting video from witnesses, though the PPB stated they lack authority to investigate federal officers operating within the scope of their employment.

Joel Camas, a 16-year-old with special immigrant juvenile status, was detained by ICE agents after arriving for a scheduled immigration check-in appointment at 26 Federal Plaza in New York City. His mother had self-deported to Ecuador in September, but believed her son would be protected due to his special immigrant juvenile status and a family court judge's finding that he should remain in the U.S. A civil liberties organization filed a habeas petition seeking his release and a halt to his removal order.

Xiomara Suarez-Marin, a 29-year-old Peruvian national seeking asylum, was detained by ICE during a scheduled USCIS appointment in Los Angeles on September 26, despite having a pending green card application through her wife. She had entered the U.S. in 2022 under humanitarian parole and had complied with all previous ICE check-ins. She remains in federal custody at Adelanto Detention Center with an immigration court hearing scheduled for January 28.

An Army veteran and attorney Hannah Silveira's husband, Matheus Silveira, was detained by ICE agents during his green card interview at a USCIS office in San Diego after his application was approved. ICE arrested him for overstaying his F-1 student visa, and he was granted voluntary departure rather than deportation, forcing the couple to relocate to Brazil instead of their planned move to Minnesota. Silveira claims the arrest resembled entrapment, with ICE agents waiting in the building despite the couple following proper legal procedures.

Democratic congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh was indicted along with five other protesters for allegedly blocking vehicles outside a federal ICE processing facility in Broadview, Illinois. Abughazaleh faces charges of conspiracy and forcibly impeding a federal officer. She and other defendants will self-surrender to authorities following the indictment filed on October 23.

Chanthila "Shawn" Souvannarath, 44, was deported to Laos on Friday despite a federal court order issued the day before blocking his removal. The judge had ordered ICE to keep him in the country so he could present a claim of U.S. citizenship. DHS claimed the court order was not received until after the deportation had already occurred. Souvannarath, who was born in a refugee camp in Thailand but has lived most of his life in the U.S., had been granted lawful permanent residence before his first birthday.

ICE agents encountered a 5-year-old autistic girl outside her home in Massachusetts while attempting to arrest her father, Edward Hip Mejia, who is originally from Guatemala. The girl was left with agents after her father drove home and fled into the house. Local police recovered the child and returned her to her family. Mejia was detained two days later at an ICE detention center in Plymouth.

Over a dozen pregnant women have reported experiencing medical neglect, mistreatment, and substandard care while detained by ICE, including cases of miscarriage while shackled and solitary confinement. Advocates documented their experiences and sent a letter to ICE officials and Senate committees requesting the agency identify and release all pregnant detainees and refrain from detaining pregnant, postpartum, or nursing individuals.

Rafael Veraza and his 1-year-old daughter were pepper-sprayed at close range in a Sam's Club parking lot in Cicero while heading to go grocery shopping. The family said they were not protesting or interfering when a masked federal immigration agent fired pepper spray through their vehicle's open window. The Department of Homeland Security denied the incident occurred, claiming there was no pepper spray deployed in the parking lot.

The Department of Justice filed a denaturalization case against former North Miami Mayor Philippe Bien-Aime, alleging he misrepresented his identity and immigration history during his naturalization process in 2006. According to federal prosecutors, Bien-Aime entered the United States in 1997 using a fraudulent passport under a different name, was ordered removed in 2000, but remained in the country under an assumed identity. The complaint also alleges he obtained permanent resident status through an invalid marriage to a U.S. citizen using a fraudulent divorce certificate.

On November 14, 2025, ICE agents detained Wilmer Toledo-Martinez using an attack dog despite him not resisting arrest or attempting to flee. An ICE agent posed as a construction worker to lure him out of his home, and a second agent released a dog on him, causing serious injuries. Toledo-Martinez was denied medical care for hours following the assault and remains detained at the Northwest ICE Processing Center.

Alberto Cabral, a 73-year-old undocumented gardener with no criminal history who has lived in the U.S. for over 60 years, was detained by ICE while working at a home in West Hollywood. After being detained and dealing with multiple medical issues including a broken tailbone, stroke medication needs, and diabetes, Cabral chose to self-deport to Mexico rather than face months in detention without adequate medical care. His family is now working with an immigration attorney to explore options.

A Native American legal rights group alleges that Jose Roberto Ramirez is being retaliated against by ICE. The specific details of the retaliation claim are not provided in the available text.

A viral video shows masked ICE agents approaching and questioning a random woman in a Walmart parking lot, asking if she was born in the United States. The incident raises concerns about immigration enforcement tactics and potential civil liberties issues.

Britain Rodriguez, 31, was shot in the face with a less-lethal round by Homeland Security officers during an anti-ICE protest in Santa Ana on January 9, 2026, causing severe eye damage and vision loss. He was the second person shot in the face that night; the first was 21-year-old Kaden Rummler. The officers opened fire on protesters who were demonstrating against ICE deportations and police brutality, with DHS claiming rocks and fireworks were thrown while local police and video evidence indicate only orange traffic cones were used.

Carlos Della Valle, a 49-year-old undocumented Mexican national married to U.S. citizen Angela for 23 years, was detained by immigration agents at an airport in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands on Christmas Day 2024 while attempting to board a flight home. Despite being found not guilty of illegal re-entry by a jury in August 2024, Carlos was returned to detention because of his undocumented status under the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign. Angela has followed Carlos through multiple detention facility transfers across three states and two U.S. territories to maintain contact with him.

A federal ICE agent shot at a man in St. Paul who allegedly hit two agents with his car. The incident occurred during an enforcement operation that drew protesters to the area.

Carlos Jimenez, a 25-year-old U.S. citizen, was shot by ICE agents in Ontario on Thursday while attempting to warn federal officers about children gathering at a nearby school bus stop. His lawyers claim he was shot from behind while trying to leave the scene, while federal authorities contend he reversed his vehicle toward officers in a threatening manner. Jimenez was charged with assault on a federal officer but released on bond; a bullet remains lodged in his right shoulder.

Carlos Jimenez, a food bank worker and father of three, was shot in the back by an ICE agent during an immigration stop on October 30, 2025. He pleaded not guilty to assault charges after being indicted by a federal grand jury. His attorneys claim he was attempting to leave and reverse his car out of fear after being ordered to leave by agents, and that he was shot unnecessarily with a bullet remaining lodged in his right shoulder.

Nasra Ahmed, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen born and raised in Minnesota, was detained by ICE for two days after being arrested in her predominantly Somali neighborhood. Ahmed claims the arrest was forceful, resulting in a head injury, and that an ICE officer used a racial slur against her. Rep. Samakab Hussein hosted Ahmed at a press conference to share her story and call for an end to such incidents.

Ismael Ayala-Uribe, 39, a former DACA recipient, died in ICE custody at the Adelanto immigration detention center after being held for approximately two weeks. He complained of illness including cough and fever, was flagged with a code blue medical emergency on Thursday when shaking and experiencing pain, but was cleared to return to his dorm after only 1.5 hours of evaluation. He was not taken to hospital until three days later for an abscess and died early Monday morning at Victor Valley Global Medical Center.

ICE agents arrested Jorge Elieser Gonzalez Ochoa, a 27-year-old Colombian national, at Bread Garden Market in Iowa City on September 25, 2025. Advocacy group Escucha Mi Voz claims the arrest was violent and unprovoked, with agents using excessive force in a public marketplace. Gonzalez, who was working toward asylum with an ankle monitor, is now held in Linn County Jail on an ICE hold. The incident has sparked community outrage over ICE enforcement tactics in civilian spaces.

Hagop Chirinian, a non-citizen surfer, was released after being detained for four months following an accidental trespass onto Camp Pendleton beach. A federal judge ordered ICE to release him, ruling the agency violated its own protocols by detaining him despite knowing he could not be deported, as Lebanon refused to accept him. Chirinian had been living under an order of supervision with a work permit for nearly 30 years without additional convictions.

Victor Cruz, a Hillsboro man with legal work authorization, was detained by ICE on October 14 after agents allegedly confused him with another person named Victor Cruz. Despite presenting valid work documents and being identified as the wrong person, Cruz was transferred to an ICE facility in Tacoma where he reported inhumane conditions. He was released on Friday after his family obtained a temporary restraining order, but remains under federal supervision with an ankle monitor and faces ongoing deportation proceedings.

Brother please my wife just gave birth … you can check .. you can check .. please” this man in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington DC begged ICE agents to understand him. He said he is not a criminal and he needed to go home to his wife who was alone after giving birth to their newborn. “Brother please - my wife, she can’t walk!” “We’ll figure it out,” they told him. eric montes

2 hurt, including a US Marshal, after an ICE agent’s weapon discharged in LA immigration operation

ice deployed tear gas on a crowded public street...a 2-year-old child required medical attention

A judge granted asylum. ICE agents still kidnapped him. That’s not justice—that’s lawless government facism. If they can ignore court orders, no one is safe. Keep sharing. Keep speaking out. Keep fighting back.

Hear what these peaceful protesters (and one ICE agents) have to say amid the violent clashes in Broadview, IL.

Federal agents handcuffed Humboldt Park-area Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th) as she confronted them Friday at Humboldt Park Hospital. Agents handcuffed Fuentes, forced her out of the hospital and threatened her with arrest, Fuentes told a Block Club reporter. “It shows just how much this is escalating,” Fuentes told Block Club. “They don’t care about people’s constitutional rights. They can handcuff an elected official for doing absolutely nothing — just imagine what they’re doing to the residents in the city of Chicago, whether they are documented or not. These federal agents don’t give a damn.”A video of the Friday afternoon incident shows Fuentes at the hospital, asking federal agents if they had a signed warrant and telling the agents a man — who they had arrested — has constitutional rights. Fuentes is not seen touching the agents, one of whom tells her he will arrest her if she does not leave.Fuentes again asks the agents if they have a warrant, and an agent grabs Fuentes, spins her around and handcuffs her hands.“This is an alderperson who is being under arrest,” a person off-screen says in the video.“This is a hospital. Do you have a signed judicial warrant for him?” Fuentes says to the agents“We told you to leave,” says the agent who handcuffed Fuentes. “Now you are under arrest for impeding.”Fuentes was led outside the hospital and released. She was told that if she went back inside, she would be arrested, witnesses said.“Chicago’s elected officials have a First Amendment right to document ICE’s actions and to inform their constituents of their rights without federal interference,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement upon hearing of the incident.Any attempt to block this work is a direct attack on democratic accountability and an assault on the rights of the people of Chicago.”The agents were at the hospital because a person they’d been chasing fell and was injured, Fuentes said. They brought the person to the hospital; when Fuentes heard about what happened, she went there.✍️ Full story by @arielparrella_writes at blockclubchicago.org

Very difficult morning in Rubidoux this morning they violently threw the jardinero to the ground . Were in touch with family and hopefully someone is en route to pop the lock for us

Juan Parra, a tattoo artist, was doing tattoos at the ICE protests. He had been donating half the proceeds to feed the people fighting for immigrants. Last month, he was assaulted and detained for peaceful protesting. Despite his injuries he continues to speak out. At a Pro-Palestine rally, Juan tells us why people must stand together on both issues.. because we’re facing the same evil in different forms. He urges those who want to support the protestors outside the detention center to donate to Occupy ICE LA

Rafie Shouhed, a 79-year-old business owner from Van Nuys, is speaking out after what he calls a violent and unjust encounter with ICE. On Sept. 9, ICE agents raided his business, Valley Car Wash, in search of undocumented workers. Surveillance footage shows Shouhed knocked to the ground twice — once inside his office and again outside — even after he identified himself as the owner and a U.S. citizen. Shouhed says he was detained for 12 hours, denied medical care, and left with serious injuries, including bruised ribs, arm injuries, and a traumatic brain injury. Now, he’s taking action, filing a $50 million damages claim accusing ICE and Border Protection agents of excessive force and violating his constitutional rights.

ICE Agent in Portland, Oregon repeats Nazi salute for the camera upon prompting, 9/8/25. This agent covers his license plate with black tape or paper, as do many other agents in order to hide his identity despite serving a role in public as a public officer.

DHS Kidnapped Montaña This Morning at AK’s Bail Hearing Claims of Fitting The Description According to The Department of Homeland Security

George, a security guard from El Monte, wanted people to know what’s happening in LA. ICE raided a Koreatown plaza where people go to Speakeasy Fitness or Food 4 Less. He works there and said shoppers were hiding in fear as ICE snatched about 10 people. George also told me he has family in East LA who live in fear from these raids too.. and this is happening all over the city.

Willian Giménez González, who is suing a group of off-duty police officers who harassed and abused day laborers at a Home Depot in Chicago, was recently abducted and disappeared by ICE agents in what his lawyer believes is retaliation for his lawsuit.