ICE agents briefly detained a US Marshal in Arizona after mistaking him for a deportation target, highlighting growing concerns about rushed enforcement under pressure to meet daily arrest targets.
At a Glance
- A US Marshal was briefly detained by ICE agents in Tucson, Arizona when they mistook him for a deportation target
- The incident occurred at a federal building housing immigration court, and the marshal was released after his identity was verified
- Reports indicate ICE is under pressure to arrest 3,000 people daily, with a record 2,200 detained in a single recent day
- ICE has shifted focus from targeting criminals to broader detention of undocumented immigrants
- National Guard deployment was announced in Los Angeles County following violent anti-ICE protests
Marshal Mistakenly Detained During Immigration Operation
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents briefly detained a US Marshals Service deputy in Tucson, Arizona last week, mistaking him for a deportation target. The incident occurred at a federal building that houses the immigration court. According to official statements, the marshal was detained because he matched the physical description of someone ICE was seeking to apprehend. The confusion was quickly resolved when other law enforcement officers confirmed the deputy’s identity.
The case has drawn attention to concerns about possible racial profiling in immigration enforcement operations. In a separate incident, Jensy Machado, reported to be a Trump voter, was also mistakenly detained by ICE, further fueling these concerns. A 2022 ACLU report previously highlighted racial profiling issues within an ICE program that allows state and local law enforcement to perform immigration duties.
Pressure to Increase Arrest Numbers
The mistaken detention comes amid reports of significant pressure on ICE agents to increase arrest numbers. White House deputy chief of staff for policy, Stephen Miller, reportedly set a target of 3,000 arrests per day, threatening job security for senior officials who fail to meet expectations. This pressure has resulted in a record 2,200 people detained in a single day, marking a substantial increase in enforcement activities.
“It is not surprising that there would be these cases that the wrong person is detained. I think it reflects that they are trying to get numbers and that they are OK violating basic principles and basic procedures that are meant to protect people and make sure the wrong people don’t get picked up.”, said Noah Schramm.
Sources familiar with recent operations note that many of those arrested were previously part of ICE’s Alternative to Detention program, which monitors undocumented immigrants not considered public safety threats. This represents a significant shift from earlier policies that prioritized arresting individuals with criminal histories or suspected gang affiliations to a broader approach targeting undocumented immigrants regardless of criminal background.
Growing Public Resistance to Enforcement Actions
The increased pace and scope of immigration enforcement has sparked protests across the country. In Los Angeles County, demonstrations against ICE operations became so intense that officials announced the deployment of National Guard troops. Former border czar Tom Homan confirmed the deployment following violent confrontations where police used tear gas on demonstrators.
“The Trump administration border czar Tom Homan told Fox News on Saturday that the national guard would be deployed to Los Angeles county on Sunday after anti-ICE protests became violent amid police use of tear gas on demonstrators.”, declared Tom Homan.
Similar protests have erupted in other cities as ICE continues its intensified operations. In Chicago’s South Loop, advocates gathered outside an immigration supervision building following reports of arrests taking place during scheduled appointments. This pattern of enforcement at locations where immigrants are required to appear for official business has become increasingly common, according to community observers.
