A US citizen has recounted his distressing experience of being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in his underwear during a raid on his Minneapolis home in sub-freezing temperatures. The incident has sparked outrage and renewed scrutiny of the agency’s tactics.
The man, who wished to remain anonymous, explained that ICE agents were searching for two individuals with criminal records when they descended on his residence. Despite his protestations that he was a lawful US citizen, the agents proceeded to handcuff him and escort him outside in his underwear, subjecting him to the biting cold.
“It was freezing, probably around -10°C (14°F),” the man recalled. “I was in my underwear, and they just dragged me outside. I kept telling them I was a citizen, but they didn’t seem to care.”
The agents eventually released the man after verifying his identity, but the traumatic experience has left a lasting impact. “I was humiliated, and I’m still trying to process what happened,” he said. “I’ve never had anything like this happen to me before. It was a complete violation of my rights.”
The incident has sparked outrage among civil liberties advocates, who argue that the ICE agents’ actions were not only inhumane but also potentially illegal. “Detaining a US citizen in their underwear, in sub-freezing temperatures, is a clear violation of their constitutional rights,” said Sarah Kenney, a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
ICE officials have defended the raid, stating that the agents were acting on credible information about the presence of two individuals with criminal records. However, the agency has acknowledged that the man who was detained was not the target of the operation.
“While we understand the concern over the individual’s treatment, our agents were operating on specific intelligence and were required to ensure the safety of all involved,” said an ICE spokesperson.
The incident has reignited the ongoing debate over the tactics and accountability of immigration enforcement agencies in the United States. Critics argue that such heavy-handed approaches often disproportionately affect vulnerable communities and undermine public trust in the justice system.
As the investigation into the incident continues, the anonymous man’s ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of aggressive immigration enforcement policies. His story has resonated with many, underscoring the need for a more compassionate and rights-based approach to addressing the complex challenges of immigration.
