US Citizens Recount ICE Arrests and Rights Violations to Senator Blumenthal

Experiences of US Citizens Detained by ICE

• 🇺🇸 US citizens shared their harrowing experiences of being arrested by ICE agents, despite clearly stating their citizenship.
• 🛡️ Many emphasized that they made efforts to inform agents of their US citizenship and offered identification, but their pleas were often ignored.

Specific Cases of Mistreatment

• 🎖️ Mr. Rees, a disabled US citizen and Iraq combat veteran, stated he made it very clear he was a US citizen and offered proof of his veteran status.
• ✈️ Mr. Chabaria, an educator and superintendent who had undergone extensive vetting, was detained at an airport despite having his passport and being a participant in trusted traveler programs.
• 🆔 Ms. Yes stated she repeatedly told agents she was a US citizen and presented her real ID and driver's license.
• 🗺️ Mr. Ramirez confirmed he told agents multiple times he was a US citizen, had his passport, and was born in San Marino, but agents were unresponsive.

False Charges and Dropped Cases

• ⚖️ Ms. Feel was charged with assaulting an officer after being detained for 48 hours as a US citizen, despite video evidence showing she did not hit the officer. The charges were suddenly dropped after her lawyer requested body camera footage.
• 🗣️ Ms. Feel, who is 4'11", stated she never hit the officer as alleged.

Lasting Trauma and Fear

• 😥 Ms. Feel expressed that she does not feel safe to this day after her experience.
• 🏥 Mr. Ramirez's diabetes was exacerbated by detention without proper care, requiring hospitalization upon release.
• 💔 Ms. Figueroa felt violated and embarrassed to be an American after being manhandled and assaulted by agents.
• 🎖️ Mr. Rees felt his service and sacrifices were disgraced by the treatment he received, highlighting cracks in US law.
• ✈️ Mr. Chabaria fears being detained or disappearing when visiting his mother, feeling he is no longer free to travel within his own country.