ProPublica found more than 500 U.S. citizens detained by immigration agents during the current administration, documenting each case in a searchable tally. The investigation shows more than 100 Americans were held after agents questioned their citizenship, nearly all people of color, and at least 70 children and teens were detained, with some handcuffed. ProPublica tracked more than 300 Americans held for allegedly assaulting or obstructing agents but found fewer than half were charged in federal court and many cases were dropped or dismissed. The project identifies specific incidents, including a January 2025 raid at a Philadelphia car wash where a 21-year-old was held at gunpoint and handcuffed, a Florida 20-year-old held more than 24 hours despite proof of citizenship, and a dual U.S.-Mexico citizen in California held four days without access to a lawyer or family. During the Chicago enforcement surge called Operation Midway Blitz, ProPublica located more than 120 citizen detentions despite DHS statements denying administrative arrests of citizens. ProPublica shared footage and details with former immigration officials, who reacted with anger and disbelief, and the database highlights systemic lapses including 36 people held at least a day without any ability to contact counsel or family.
