...
By Mandy Taheri
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Leonardo García Venegas, a Florida-born U.S. citizen with a REAL ID, was forcibly arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at an Alabama construction site after agents claimed his identification was "fake," Venegas told Noticias Telemundo in Spanish on Friday.
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson told Newsweek on Saturday morning that "there was no mistake" during the encounter, stating that Venegas "attempted to obstruct and prevent the lawful arrest of an illegal alien," thereby leading to his arrest.
Newsweek reached out to ICE for comment via email on Sunday. Newsweek also reached out to Venegas' cousin, Shelah Venegas, via Facebook Messenger for comment on Saturday.
Read More
Mom of 3, Who Fled to US to Escape Abuse, Faces Deportation After 20 Years6 min read
Steve Bannon’s Warning on Trump Budget Bill—’Don’t See How the Math Works’6 min read
Republican Senators Rebuke ‘Immoral’ Trump Bill—’Emperor Has No Clothes’7 min read
Why It Matters
Venegas' arrest comes amid an immigration crackdown under the Trump administration, during which people with valid documentation—including green cards or visas—have been detained and face legal jeopardy. In April, President Donald Trump floated the idea of deporting U.S. citizens with violent criminal records to El Salvador.
Trump campaigned on a hardline immigration stance, pledging to carry out the largest mass deportation in U.S. history. In the initial months of his presidency, his administration has deported around 100,000 illegal immigrants, many due to his invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which grants the president authority to deport non-citizens without appearing before a judge, among other wartime authorities.
As of May 7, travelers need a REAL ID license or other specific state accepted identifications or passports to board federally regulated commercial aircraft and access certain federal facilities.
What To Know
On May 21, Venegas, 25, was wrestled down at a construction site in Foley, Alabama, by ICE agents. The video of the arrest was aired by Noticias Telemundo, and shows officers physically restraining him.
His cousin, Shelah Venegas, posted the video of his arrest on Facebook, writing, "These federal agents without a single cause completely harassed a family member who is a US CITIZEN!!"
Venegas provided the agents with his identification. The officials took it, told him it was fake, and then handcuffed him, he told Noticias Telemundo.
"Apparently a REAL ID is not valid anymore. He has a REAL ID," Shelah Venegas told NBC News. "We all made sure we have the REAL ID and went through the protocols the administration is asking for....He has his REAL ID and then they see him and I guess because his English isn't fluent and/or because he's brown it's fake, it's not real."
Venegas, whose parents are from Mexico, told Noticias Telemundo that he was released hours later from the vehicle he was being held in after reciting his Social Security number to the officials, further proving his U.S. citizenship.
When he returned to the construction site, ICE had detained other workers, including his 34-year-old brother who is reportedly undocumented, according to the Latin Times.
...
What People Are Saying
A DHS spokesperson told Newsweek in an email Saturday: "During a targeted worksite operation, this individual attempted to obstruct and prevent the lawful arrest of an illegal alien. He physically got in between agents and the subject they were attempting to arrest and refused to comply with numerous verbal commands. Anyone who actively obstructs law enforcement in the performance of their sworn duties, including U.S. citizens, will of course face consequences which include arrest."
Shelah Venegas, whose family owns a contracting company, told NBC News: "A lot of the people that work with us are not working....They are refusing to go to work. They said they are not going to go until this stuff calms down."
What Happens Next?
Many have raised concerns about the Trump administration's detention and deportation practices, saying the process often lacks due process protections for individuals. Supporters say the crackdown is necessary to deter illegal immigration and remove criminals.
Shelah Venegas told NBC News her cousin's brother has signed deportation papers as their family wanted to avoid him being detained "forever," a scenario they said happened with another family member.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines