A U.S. citizen, Leonardo Garcia Venegas, claims he was detained twice by HSI agents while working on a construction site. According to his attorney and reporting from ProPublica, the agents allegedly ignored trespassing signs and targeted Latino workers. Venegas states he presented his Real ID, confirming his U.S. citizenship, but was still detained and allegedly mistreated, with one incident involving being tackled to the ground and handcuffed. Footage from a separate incident, also captured by a US citizen, shows immigration officers detaining individuals and making disparaging remarks, which critics argue reveals a dehumanizing mindset and lack of empathy.

The narrative presented by Venegas and observers highlights concerns about potential racial profiling and aggressive tactics by immigration enforcement, questioning the justification for detaining citizens without cause. The incidents raise questions about the methods used by immigration agencies and their impact on individuals, regardless of citizenship status.