U.S. Citizen Detained by ICE for Nearly Two Hours in Houston

ICE Detention of U.S. Citizen

• 🇺🇸 A U.S. citizen, Miguel Anel Pon Jr., recounts being detained by ICE agents for nearly two hours in Southeast Houston.
• ⚠️ Pon states that agents accused him of having a deportation order and did not initially believe he was a U.S. citizen, despite being born in College Station, Texas.
• 🚗 Agents pulled him over as he was leaving for work and, according to Pon, ordered him out of his car, handcuffed him, and took him to another location.

Identification and Release

• 🖼️ Pon claims agents showed him a photo of someone they believed him to be, but it did not match his name.
• 🤝 After nearly two hours, Pon convinced agents to compare tattoos, which led to his release.
• 🗣️ He stated he repeatedly informed them he was born in the U.S. and offered to provide proof, but they refused to believe him.

ICE Statement and Citizen's Reaction

• 🚨 ICE stated agents were targeting a violent criminal convicted of multiple child sex offenses, who bore a striking resemblance to Pon.
• 😠 Pon expressed anger, feeling the agency shifted blame and added charges only after the incident was brought to light.
• 🗣️ He disputes ICE's claim of apologizing and taking him home, and was told by agents to shave his beard to avoid future mistaken identity.
• ❓ Pon is left shaken and frustrated by the experience, questioning why federal agents spent so much time trying to identify him.