ICE arrests U.S. citizen twice during Alabama construction site raids

In Alabama, Leo Garcia Venegas, a U.S. citizen and construction worker, filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security following his two arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. These incidents occurred in May and June and involved federal immigration officers conducting warrantless raids at private construction sites where Venegas was employed. His claims highlight the troubling practices of ICE, alleging that workers were detained solely based on perceived ethnicity, without reasonable suspicion of immigration violations. Venegas, who possessed a valid ID, was apprehended along with other workers during these raids. On his initial detention, Venegas was held for over an hour, where immigration officers disregarded his identification and failed to verify his U.S. citizenship, despite having substantial evidence to support his claims. This incident set a grim precedent, as he was subjected to forceful tactics by the agents, including being tackled to the ground. As the raids progressed, Venegas's situation intensified when, on June 12, he was cornered in a residential construction site and ordered by ICE agents to leave the premises. Alongside him, other U.S. citizens were also detained under similar circumstances. In the broader context of U.S. immigration policy, the legal framework governing these arrests has been criticized for allowing racial profiling and the violation of constitutional rights. Venegas and his legal representation from the Institute for Justice argue that current Department of Homeland Security policies enable such illegal raids, which focus on detaining individuals based solely on their apparent ethnicity. His distressing account reflects a greater issue concerning the civil liberties of citizens, particularly when entangled in immigration enforcement actions. The lawsuit against ICE thus pursues systemic change, advocating for an end to such warrantless practices and aiming for legal recognition that would prevent similar wrongful arrests in the future. Legal experts have expressed concern that, despite potential reforms, current judicial rulings have permitted certain forms of racial profiling, further complicating the landscape for U.S. citizens as they navigate their constitutional rights amidst aggressive enforcement actions.