South Alabama Man Detained by ICE Three Times Despite Proof He’s a U.S. Citizen

Leonardo Garcia Venegas, a U.S. citizen living in Silverhill, Alabama, has been unlawfully detained by ICE agents three times in less than a year, according to a recent court filing. Despite repeatedly showing identification proving his citizenship, federal immigration officers have continued to detain him, raising serious questions about ICE’s enforcement practices and respect for constitutional rights.

The latest detention occurred on May 2 near Venegas’s home. In a declaration submitted with the lawsuit against the federal government, Venegas described how agents restrained him physically without asking any questions or verifying his identity beforehand. He was handcuffed, shackled, and placed in the back of a vehicle before being asked where he was born. When Venegas said Florida and offered to produce his U.S. passport, agents refused to see it.

Only after using a device to scan his driver’s license did officers confirm his legal status. Yet Venegas was not immediately released. Instead, ICE agents continued their search, including waiting for a K-9 unit to inspect his vehicle. This pattern of detaining a citizen without reasonable cause or proper verification underscores systemic issues within ICE’s operations.

Venegas’s attorneys argue that these repeated detentions constitute unlawful enforcement and demonstrate the ongoing risk he faces. The emotional impact on Venegas is profound; he reports significant distress, anxiety, and a constant fear of being detained again.

This case adds to a growing list of documented abuses by ICE, particularly in Alabama, where immigration raids have sparked lawsuits and public outcry. It reveals a disturbing disregard for legal protections and due process, especially when ICE agents ignore clear evidence of citizenship.

As ICE continues its aggressive tactics, the Venegas case serves as a stark reminder that the agency’s actions often trample on the rights of innocent people. It demands urgent accountability and reform to prevent further violations and restore trust in immigration enforcement.