ICE Arresting U.S. Citizens, Using Banned Chokeholds: Explosive ProPublica Report
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖A ProPublica investigation documented over 40 instances of ICE agents using banned chokeholds and carotid restraints.
- ❖Tactics include kneeling on necks and backs, which restrict breathing and blood flow, contrary to ICE's own training.
- ❖Specific cases include the violent arrest of ICU nurse Amanda Treeback for filming, and a 16-year-old U.S. citizen, Arnaldo Bazan, placed in a chokehold.
- ❖ICE has detained over 170 U.S. citizens, with approximately 130 arrested for allegedly obstructing ICE activities or during protests.
- ❖Agents often ignore birth certificates and other proof of U.S. citizenship during arrests and detentions, as seen in the case of Dulce Consuelo Diaz Morales.
- ❖ICE agents are frequently masked, making accountability difficult, and internal oversight bodies are reportedly understaffed and lack authority.
- ❖The Department of Homeland Security has not provided evidence of disciplinary actions against officers despite being presented with videos of policy violations.
Insights
1Widespread Use of Banned Restraints by ICE
A ProPublica investigation uncovered more than 40 cases where immigration agents employed banned chokeholds and other dangerous restraints, such as kneeling on individuals' necks and backs. These methods can restrict breathing and blood flow, directly contradicting ICE's own training guidelines.
Nicole Foy, a ProPublica reporter, detailed how she and her colleague Mackenzie Funk spent a year documenting these aggressive tactics, finding them used across the country. Examples include the arrest of Amanda Treeback, an ICU nurse, where agents knelt on her back and head, and Arnaldo Bazan, a 16-year-old U.S. citizen, who was put in a chokehold.
2Detention of U.S. Citizens by Immigration Agents
ProPublica's report revealed that over 170 U.S. citizens were arrested and detained by immigration agents. A significant portion (around 130) were arrested on accusations of assaulting officers or obstructing ICE activities, often while documenting operations. Other citizens were detained because agents disbelieved their citizenship claims, even when presented with evidence.
Nicole Foy stated that as of October 2025 (likely a typo, should be 2019/2020 based on context), over 170 U.S. citizens were arrested. She cited the case of Dulce Consuelo Diaz Morales, a U.S. citizen detained despite her birth certificate being presented, and who was held for days over the holidays.
3Lack of Accountability for Excessive Force
Despite clear federal bans on chokeholds and similar tactics, and video evidence of these policies being violated, ProPublica found no evidence that ICE officers faced disciplinary measures. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reportedly defended the officers' actions as professional and reasonable.
Nicole Foy confirmed that ProPublica had 'yet to find any evidence' of disciplinary action. She noted that DHS did not answer inquiries about officer discipline and 'stood very firmly behind their officers’ actions and said that they were acting with the utmost professionalism and even using a reasonable amount of force.'
4Targeting Individuals Documenting ICE Operations
Many U.S. citizens arrested by ICE believed their detention was a direct result of them filming or documenting ICE activities, often after being told to stop. This practice undermines the legal right to document public officials.
Foy highlighted that it is 'perfectly legal to document these activities,' yet 'many of the US citizens who have been arrested by immigration agents believe that they were arrested because they were filming and after they were told to stop filming.' The initial arrest of Amanda Treeback, an ICU nurse, occurred while she was documenting ICE operations.
Lessons
- Demand greater transparency and accountability from federal immigration agencies regarding their use of force and detention practices.
- Support independent journalism and investigative reports, like those by ProPublica, that expose potential abuses of power.
- Familiarize yourself with your rights regarding documenting law enforcement activities in public spaces, as this is a legally protected activity.
Quotes
"We found that over the last year, immigration agents across the country have used these really dangerous and banned by their own policy chokehold and carotid restraints, as well as many of these also dangerous kneeling on people's necks, kneeling on backs... in ways that can really restrict your breathing and your blood flow."
"We've yet to find any evidence that they have [faced disciplinary measures]. We asked the Department of Homeland Security if they have disciplined any officers... And they did not answer us, would not tell us if any had been disciplined for these tactics. And they stood very firmly behind their officers' actions and said that they were acting with the utmost professionalism and even using a reasonable amount of force."
"I think one of the most surprising things is maybe that both like this is just happening around the country but I and often just really in full view of cameras whether people whether immigration agents are arresting US citizens and they're grabbing cameras."
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