A recent investigation by ProPublica has uncovered that 506 U.S. citizens were detained by immigration officials between January 2025 and September 2026. This revelation comes amid the heightened immigration enforcement during the Trump administration's second term.
The findings, drawn from social media, court records, and local news sources, indicate a troubling pattern of constitutional rights violations, despite federal authorities' denials. These issues are particularly impactful for the Cuban community in South Florida.
ICE's Contested Practices
ProPublica suggests the actual number of detained citizens may be even higher, as federal agencies do not maintain a public record of such incidents.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has publicly stated that they do not arrest U.S. citizens by mistake and deny conducting indiscriminate stops or restraining children. However, the investigation directly challenges these claims.
More than a hundred citizens were detained after their citizenship was questioned, with the vast majority being people of color. At least 70 minors were detained, some in handcuffs or plastic restraints.
Additionally, 63 individuals were held while documenting operations, and 36 were unable to contact an attorney or family for at least a day. Roughly a dozen were deported, mostly minors.
Florida's Troubling Cases
In April 2025, a 20-year-old was detained for over 24 hours in a Florida jail, despite proving his citizenship. In Key Largo, a woman was arrested for the third time while driving a car registered to her immigrant partner. A video by the Miami Herald captures her pleading with officers, "I'm a U.S. citizen, please help me."
This scenario is further complicated by the expanded 287(g) program in Florida, allowing local police to act as immigration agents. Doral, a city with a significant Cuban population, formalized its agreement with ICE in January 2026 under pressure from Governor Ron DeSantis. On Thursday, around 170 residents submitted a petition to terminate this agreement.
Baker Correctional Institution, known as the "Deportation Depot" in Northern Florida, houses about 1,000 individuals, including Cubans, and operates without oversight from ICE's Detention Monitoring Office.
Implications for Naturalized Cubans
While ProPublica's report does not specifically identify Cubans among the 506 cases, the documented pattern—detentions based on skin color, accent, or work environment—poses similar risks to the Cuban community in Miami as it does to other communities of color.
Detentions of Cubans by ICE increased by 463% between late 2024 and early 2026, with over 42,000 Cubans facing final deportation orders in the U.S. Fiscal year 2026 saw a record 37 deaths in ICE custody, including at least three Cubans.
What to Do if Detained by ICE as a Citizen
Federal law does not require citizens to carry proof of citizenship during encounters with immigration agents. However, experts advise keeping a U.S. passport, passport card, or naturalization certificate on hand to expedite verification and avoid prolonged detentions.
If stopped, you have the right to calmly assert your citizenship, request an attorney before answering questions, and refrain from signing any documents without legal advice. ProPublica's cases show that 63 individuals were detained while recording incidents, highlighting the risks of exercising this right in the current climate.
Former officials with long service records expressed concern over these findings. "I've never seen so many encounters with U.S. citizens in all my years," stated Darius Reeves, former head of ICE's Baltimore office. Eric Balliet, with over two decades in Homeland Security Investigations and Border Patrol, remarked, "This is simply terrible."
The issue of citizens detained by ICE reflects a continually evolving immigration landscape. Stay informed on the latest regarding arrests, deportations, and rights in our U.S. Immigration section.
FAQs on U.S. Citizens Detained by ICE
Why are U.S. citizens being detained by ICE?
The detentions often occur due to errors in questioning citizenship, racial profiling, or misunderstandings during immigration enforcement operations.
What rights do U.S. citizens have if detained by ICE?
Citizens have the right to assert their citizenship, request legal representation, and decline to sign documents without consulting an attorney.
Is there a way to prevent wrongful detention by ICE?
Carrying a U.S. passport, passport card, or naturalization certificate can help verify citizenship and potentially prevent prolonged detentions.