ProPublica investigation finds over 500 U.S. citizens detained by ICE, including injured rider in Long Beach
A ProPublica series uncovered more than 500 instances of U.S. citizens being detained by immigration officials, highlighted by a recent case in Long Beach where a citizen was injured during an ICE stop.
California officials have called for an inquiry after a U.S. citizen was allegedly injured and detained by immigration officers in Long Beach over the weekend. Video from the incident shows Ricardo Gonzalez riding an e-bike when an unmarked ICE vehicle stopped him; he was later seen handcuffed on the ground and later taken to a hospital for serious injuries. ICE officials said Gonzalez was arrested for rioting and damaging a government vehicle.
ProPublica’s investigation, presented by reporter Nicole Foy, identified more than 500 U.S. citizens who have been caught up in immigration enforcement actions across the country. The series documents a range of circumstances, including alleged assaults on officers, questions about citizenship status, language barriers, and instances where individuals were detained while filming protests.
"We have documented many citizens who were detained for a variety of reasons, some of which appear to lack clear probable cause," Foy said.
The reporting also notes that while some detainees have faced assault charges, many have not been charged at all. Detention periods vary from a few minutes to several days, with some individuals held without access to phones, lawyers, or family members. Former immigration officials interviewed by ProPublica expressed surprise at the frequency and severity of these encounters, describing the use of force as “troubling” and inconsistent with training.
Legal experts cited in the series say the detentions raise potential Fourth Amendment concerns over unreasonable searches and seizures, as well as First Amendment issues when arrests appear linked to protest activity or filming. The Department of Homeland Security has repeatedly stated that it does not detain U.S. citizens, a claim that the investigation challenges.
State and local officials are urging federal authorities to review the practices and ensure constitutional protections are upheld.