American Citizen Details Trauma After ICE Encounter: ‘We Carry Birth Certificates Now’
U.S. citizen recounts terrifying ICE stop, fear of racial profiling, and lasting impact on family life.
POLICY WIRE — San Antonio, United States — A U.S.-born mother in Texas says she now carries her birth certificate at all times after an unexpected encounter with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents left her and her children shaken.
Monique Ramirez, a 43-year-old Mexican-American woman from San Antonio, was pulled over by federal agents on August 31 while driving with her son and daughter. The officers questioned her children about their citizenship, sparking fear and confusion. Though the interaction lasted only two minutes, the experience has left a lasting mark on the family.
“it is changed everything,” Ramirez said. “We do not go out unless we need to.” She described the moment when she realized the officers were not local police but federal agents, leading to a sense of betrayal and fear. The incident has made her and her children more cautious, with a heightened awareness of how they are perceived in public.
Ramirez believes the encounter was racially motivated, citing the agents’ questions and the lack of explanation for the stop. Similar incidents have been reported across the country, including one in Illinois where a Black U.S. citizen was detained by federal agents. Officials denied allegations of racial profiling, stating that immigration enforcement is based on legal status, not race or ethnicity.
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The Trump administration’s aggressive immigration policies have led to increased scrutiny of U.S. citizens, with reports indicating that 155 Americans have been detained or subjected to misconduct by law enforcement. Despite these claims, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has dismissed accusations of racial profiling as false.
George Retes, a U.S.-born Army veteran, was detained during an ICE raid at his workplace in California. He described being thrown to the ground and restrained without explanation. Retes is now suing the government, claiming he was targeted due to his ethnicity. His case highlights broader concerns about the treatment of U.S. citizens by immigration authorities.
Leo Garcia Venegas, another American citizen, has been detained multiple times despite showing proof of his legal status. His case, along with others, led to a recent court ruling that limits warrantless raids on construction sites. Legal advocates argue that many similar cases go unreported, underscoring the need for transparency and accountability in immigration enforcement.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
