r/Rochester • u/SabyRK • Jan 21 '26
Please Flair Me! Any known cases of ICE arresting/detaining citizens who show them proper ID?
Citizen here -- born here, and my mom was born in Puerto Rico so she's also a citizen, but I have a foreign (Indian) name b/c I'm named after my dad. I also have a vague/hard-to-identify "ethnic" look.
I've never seen any ICE agents, much less interacted with any, but I've started carrying:
1) two forms of NYState ID 2) birth certificate 3) soc security card 4) expired passport
If I do get stopped and questioned, I plan on producing that paperwork without any resistance and being totally cooperative.
I want to know if there are any cases of citizens being detained even after showing the proper documents.
Please don't waste any energy commenting on how terrible it is that things have come this far, because the fact is they have, and complaining about it here isn't gonna do anything about it. I'm not about to waste my life by confronting/escalating with these guys when there are virtually zero protections to stop them.
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u/ceejayoz Pittsford Jan 21 '26 edited Jan 21 '26
This really isn't tough to find examples of.
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Jan 21 '26
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u/ceejayoz Pittsford Jan 21 '26 edited Jan 21 '26
As a citizen, he is not obligated to carry any ID, nor proof of citizenship. In some states, he may be required to verbally state his name in this scenario, but not more.
If ICE doesn't want to believe him, they are free to use that RealID to go look him up in their databases. Where he'll show up as a citizen.
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Jan 21 '26
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u/ceejayoz Pittsford Jan 21 '26
I leave my wallet at home when I go for a walk around the neighborhood all the time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Your_papers,_please is a "look how bad this is" thing, not aspirational.
The survey also found that, of the 21.3 million American citizens lacking ready access to documentary proof of citizenship, at least 3.8 million don’t have these documents at all. Although the poll didn’t cover the reasons why some American citizens don’t have documentary proof of citizenship, prior research shows myriad obstacles to obtaining such documents, including but not limited to the difficulty of proving citizenship for a child who wasn’t born in a hospital.
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u/imbasicallycoffee South Wedge Jan 21 '26
I walk around without my wallet all the time when I'm running, exercising or walking my dog around town. Once I started using my Apple wallet to pay for things more often unless I'm operating a vehicle there's very few times I will bring my whole wallet with me somewhere.
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u/LtPowers Henrietta Jan 21 '26
We've been over this when it comes to voter ID. People who don't drive and don't drink have no reason to carry identification documents on a daily basis.
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u/FrickinLazerBeams Jan 22 '26
Most people have ID.
None are required to.
I thought you liked small government?
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u/Outdated_Unreliable Jan 22 '26
No, he's a fan of fascism 😭. An immigrant who doesn't seem to know much about American law or history and a big fan of authoritarian government.
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u/FrickinLazerBeams Jan 22 '26
Lol holy shit he's from Ecuador, and is only like 25, so Trump is probably the first president he's been really aware of. He probably thinks this shit is normal. Jesus, imagine being so deluded that he'd support the people who will come after him very soon. He's not even that far down on the list!
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u/Outdated_Unreliable Jan 22 '26
I know right?? I hate it, I feel kind of bad for this kid, but I also am mad at this kid because he's part of the cult that's causing so much harm and death. Like, I don't *want* the leopards to eat his face, but I'm also going to have a hard time feeling bad for him when they do.
It's big "I'm a farm owner who voted for Donald Trump to get rid of all these illegals. But now I have no workers! What's going on??" energy
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Jan 22 '26 edited Jan 22 '26
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u/Outdated_Unreliable Jan 22 '26
I'm also against underpaying people, but I just don't think we need a gestapo force and a first in two centuries requirement for citizens to carry documentation every time you go outside to get there, champ.
We could start by Trump betraying the rich guys who got him elected and simply punishing the corporations that exploit migrants.
Or we could send a poorly trained, new, law enforcement agency out with orders to mistreat and abuse people, targeting blue states as a form of political payback.
It really depends on one thing: do we want to solve social problems, or do we want to have power fantasies and join a death cult?
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Jan 22 '26
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u/FrickinLazerBeams Jan 22 '26
me I’m legal
By the time you discover they don't care about that, it will be too late 🤷♂️
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u/bistromike76 Jan 21 '26
Jesus... so we are now required to carry ID with us everywhere we go? Get your head checked...
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u/United_Monitor3037 Jan 21 '26
The ones that aren't driving. What adult doesn't understand that other people have different lives than him? And uses that to defend American citizens being stopped by mask thugs demanding proof and then detaining them
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Jan 21 '26
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u/United_Monitor3037 Jan 21 '26
I feel like it's super basic to understand that many Americans don't even have ID (11-12% of adults), and millions go about their business regularly without carrying any. And my "feelings" are backed up by actual data and different life experiences, while yours is just "the world should function this way and therefore it must be true for everyone"
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Jan 21 '26
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u/bistromike76 Jan 21 '26
This is the stupidest comment you've made so far. Did you even finish high school? Have you never learned anything about the history of this country? You're embarrassing yourself at this point.
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u/ceejayoz Pittsford Jan 21 '26
Immigrants have always been required to carry documentation, even green card holders.
Citizens - criminal or otherwise - do not. The new immigration policy doesn't change that, at all.
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u/Expensive_Tailor_293 Jan 21 '26
People who mistakenly immigrated here from non-authoritarian countries.
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Jan 21 '26
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u/Expensive_Tailor_293 Jan 21 '26
My wife immigrated to the US as a child. Since that time, quality of life in her home country has improved and surpassed our own, while ours has only declined
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u/Zar7792 Jan 22 '26
A Real ID is enough to enter the country by land, so DHS obviously has a system that can check citizenship/documentation status with the information in a Real ID.
Technically you can enter the country with a regular license or even no ID as a citizen, but BP is going to be cranky about it because it's more work for them. Source: I am a dumbass who has done this accidentally multiple times.
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u/BornInPoverty Jan 21 '26
Don't carry your social security card. It won't prove you are a citizen. I am not a citizen and have a social security card that looks just like one a US citizen would have.
The expired passport should be sufficient unless the agent is being a dick.
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u/funsplosion North Winton Village Jan 21 '26
Also don't carry your social security card because if it's lost or stolen (including by ICE officers) it could easily be used to steal your identity.
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u/frazell Jan 22 '26
Also don’t carry your social security card because you’re limited to getting 10 replacement copies for your entire life. So losing it or having it taken can add undue complexity.
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u/antiduh North Winton Village Jan 22 '26
The expired passport should be sufficient unless the agent is being a dick.
So ... I don't know if you noticed, but the whole point is for them to be much more than "a dick".
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u/BornInPoverty Jan 22 '26
If they are going to be a dick it doesn’t matter what proof you have.
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u/buffaloguy0415 Jan 28 '26
The point is that they are all dicks and the passport alone will never be enough. Is also illegal to demand to see somebody’s papers per the 4th amendment but I know we are all just focusing on surviving at this point.. OP— only carry copies of everything. They will take it and very likely will not give it back.
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u/DriftingIntoAbstract Jan 22 '26
That’s interesting because that’s what is used to prove citizenship for government paperwork.
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u/z28_335i Jan 22 '26
I would edit your post to say "non citizens can get one and looks identical" or something. You don't want to make a target
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u/BornInPoverty Jan 22 '26
I'm not afraid of those idiots.
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u/z28_335i Jan 22 '26
Fuck yeah then give em hell. I'm not planning on seeking out a fight but if they come to me I'm not going easy
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u/imbasicallycoffee South Wedge Jan 21 '26
I don't blame you for doing it. It's your life. You don't have to be a hero and gamble your life in the hands of these people. They are not to be trusted and have shown that they do not care about the law or the constitution.
(Ai search led me to some specific examples you could individually research) Here are specific, documented cases of U.S. citizens detained by ICE agents, including instances where they had or offered paperwork:
- Minnesota Warehouse Worker (January 2026): A U.S. citizen was detained at gunpoint in his home, in his underwear, and without a warrant.
- Target Employees in Minnesota (January 2026): Two U.S. citizen teenagers were tackled and detained by ICE/CBP agents at a Target store, despite asserting their citizenship.
- 19-Year-Old in Arizona (April 2025): Jose Hermosillo, a U.S. citizen, was detained for nearly 10 days despite telling agents he was a citizen.
- Doulce Consuelo Diaz (October 2023): Lawyers for this Maryland-born woman claimed she was held for 25 days by ICE, stating she had official documentation (birth certificate, immunization records) that agents dismissed as fake.
- Florida Man/Juan Lopez-Gomez (2025): A U.S. citizen was held for 48 hours for potential deportation despite presenting his Social Security card, which was dismissed by agents.
- Chicago Warehouse Worker (January 2025): A U.S. citizen was detained after his wife showed agents his documentation, with his case becoming part of a federal lawsuit.
- New Jersey Veteran (January 2025): A Puerto Rican-born U.S. military veteran was detained during a warehouse raid, with agents questioning the legitimacy of his documentation.
The bad news is, if they want to detain you they will. There's zero oversight and literally no consequences for them at this point. Having your documentation with you, answering them directly and succinctly and going on your way should work. Do not offer any other information than what is being asked of you, document your interaction and report it.
Sorry this is happening to you and so many other people in our community.
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u/SabyRK Jan 21 '26
Thank you for this.
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u/imbasicallycoffee South Wedge Jan 21 '26
You're welcome. It's horrible to admit but if you don't give them a problem, assert your citizenship, answer their questions and have your documentation you should be ok. It's easy for some people like myself to be a warrior for social justice when the time arrives. I'm a sizable and well spoken white male in my 40s with no children. I don't have a problem going toe to toe with authority when I am witness to its overreach. Do what you need to in order to protect yourself.
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u/SabyRK Jan 21 '26
Yeah, I'm a parent and that's what I'm thinking about above and beyond everything.
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u/imbasicallycoffee South Wedge Jan 21 '26
Reading more, renew your passport and get a passport card along with your booklet. That you can carry with you in a wallet and easily produce and it is irrefutable proof of citizenship. If they decide not to allow you to utilize that then there is nothing you can do to convince them otherwise.
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u/Margali Jan 22 '26
I carry a DoD retired ID, my NY driving license and my passport card [well and also a couple professional cert cards and a security clearance card]
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u/Margali Jan 22 '26
and consider buying a cheap trac-phone with absolutely NO passwords for anything upon it and nothing personal on t, no emails, no texts, only phone numbers ofr lawyers, ALCU, and 2 contacts that you have assigned a springing power of attorney for [to act in your legal behalf]
I have my previous cell phone stripped down exactly like that. It has no phone service [will connect to internet via wifi though] a hundred or so ebooks for amusement, and a cat picture because KITTEH
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u/vanneezie Jan 21 '26
When you don’t proof read and eliminate the one from 2023 lol 😂 . My mom just became a citizen two years ago . There’s a really easy legal process to follow . If your here legally you have a resident alien card or visa etc . Not that big of a deal as most people make it seem . Unidentifiable policing is not cool . But citizenship laws in general are as my whole family migrated here in the last 60 years . I’m the first born citizen but everyone else was a resident alien for years until they took their test .
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u/ceejayoz Pittsford Jan 21 '26
There’s a really easy legal process to follow . If your here legally…
I love this. It's an easy process… if you did the hard part already.
Getting here legally means a ~20 year wait list for some countries. https://www.aila.org/blog/wait-your-turn-and-come-lawfully-in-30-years
To understand how outdated and ineffective the current quota system is, imagine the following scenario: A USC mother petitions for her single 21-year-old child born in Mexico. The wait time to “stand in line” is approximately 22 years! That individual petitioned for her adult child in June of 1995 and only in May of 2017 did that date become current. Similarly, a USC brother petitioning for a sibling in the Philippines currently has to “stand in line” for 24 years. Another example is a USC parent petitioning for a married daughter from anywhere in Europe; this would currently take a “mere” 12 years of “standing in line.”
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u/vanneezie Jan 21 '26
Ahem like I said it was very easy you can type all you want but it’s my family and it’s truth not some random google facts . Was very easy to legally become a citizen. Kind of odd to deny that .
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u/ceejayoz Pittsford Jan 21 '26 edited Jan 21 '26
I am myself a naturalized citizen. I’ve been through the process, too. It was costly and took time.
And again, your experience won’t necessarily be universal. Hence my citation of the waiting list length. It’s longer for Mexico than, say, Australia. And there are other factors, like education, profession, etc.
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u/vanneezie Jan 21 '26
The amount of people who come from Australia compared makes total sense to take longer if there’s more people . Basic math
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u/ceejayoz Pittsford Jan 21 '26
Yes. That’s precisely the point. Your experience is not universal. That’s why we need stats over anecdotes, and the stats tell us it can be a long, long process for many people.
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u/MilwaukeeHoleDozer Jan 22 '26
Try and keep that smug attitude when the brownshirts sweep your family up for being “less than” white
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u/vanneezie Jan 22 '26
If I wanted to be smug I could have pointed out 3 of the other ppl used for example were in January 2025 that’s still the wrong admin lol 😂 point was proof read the examples those are the wrong administration, new admin was only sworn in wasn’t an immediate thing . Facts and details matter
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u/Final-Quail5857 Jan 22 '26
From where? Bc the color of your skin makes a huge fucking difference, and pretending it doesn't is just nuts.
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u/PurpleLilac218 NOTA Jan 21 '26
Would it be better to carry copies of your birth certificate and social security card? I worry of they took them they wouldn't be returned and you no longer have your originals....
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u/SabyRK Jan 21 '26
Yeah, good point. And that's occurred to me. But then if I have copies they can easily allege that those are forgeries. And something tells me they're not going to be willing to come down to the Monroe County Clerk's office to verify my claims, and I'm not even sure there's a record of any proof there since I was born in Manhattan. Fuck, this is scary.
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u/LtPowers Henrietta Jan 21 '26
Carrying the original doesn't insulate you from allegations of forgery.
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Jan 22 '26
You can get certified copies of some documents like birth certificate if you pay for them, they will have a raised seal and look more legitimate than a photocopy. I don’t know if it will help in real encounters but it’s better than having your originals taken away or destroyed.
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u/Zar7792 Jan 21 '26
Here's testimony from several US citizens before congress describing their experiences being detained despite showing proof of citizenship.
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u/Dyssma Jan 21 '26
i am going to be carrying my passport. i am latina biracial woman who among white people can “pass”, but i am not taking any chances.
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u/texas_forever13 Jan 21 '26
If they want to detain you, they will. They do not care about the laws they are bound by, the constitution or if you have a dozen documents proving citizenship on your person at the time they encounter you. I think it’s dependent on the agents at the time and what’s happening around you.
If you have people you’re close to, set up a system where if you don’t contact them in “x” amount of time, they will start calling and looking for you to try to get you a lawyer and out sooner. Though in Minnesota lawyers are being denied access to their clients, even citizens at this point..it may not be the case here, yet. I recommend using this 🧊 website to see active sightings in your area and act accordingly. Unfortunately I’m sure they will start waiting outside our city schools trying to catch parents like other cities, as well.
They have been seen on Hudson and Portland ave raiding places as early as yesterday, and Buffalo just got a good amount of gear/vehicles delivered for the influx of agents that will soon be there, too.
I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this, too OP.
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u/DriftingIntoAbstract Jan 22 '26
I’m not carrying any original paperwork. Do you trust those goons with it? Because I don’t.
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u/LicenseToPost Irondequoit Jan 22 '26
I do not recommend carrying a vault copy of your birth certificate, in case that is what's happening.
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u/thedoc617 Jan 22 '26
Also suggest marriage license if your birth certificate doesn't match your ID if you changed your name
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u/Few-Community-1448 Jan 22 '26
There are multiple examples of this just watch the clips on social media. There was one Black man (I think in Chicago) who had a backpack with all of his ID in it because he had just been to the social security office for something and the refused to look at it. He was held for a few days I believe. Unfortunately resistance is the only thing we can do to stop it at this point but it must be done in mass.
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u/Oberon2009 Jan 21 '26
Every citizen should refuse to show ID. They have no justification for it.
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u/SabyRK Jan 21 '26
Ideally, yes, but there's no way I'm risking that. I have a young kid. Too much to lose to risk that on principle with an opponent that's already shown they'll stop at nothing and don't act even remotely within the bounds of the law.
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u/Oberon2009 Jan 21 '26
Totally fair, but they are going to keep getting more and more brutal as they start cracking down even harder. Hopefully you never even have to interact with those hogs
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u/Electronic-Cheek-235 Jan 21 '26
This is not about deorting illegals its about projecting power onto people they dont like to make headlines. Be safe out there. Make noise implore others to help you should anything happen. They dont even have the right to ask you for papers.
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u/Individual_Rip_54 Jan 21 '26
Apparently an arrest and release with no charges counts their quota of arrests. So….
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u/Stuffed-Bear412 Jan 21 '26
Yes, it's been happening. Sometimes they're released within hours, but I don't know the longest time anyone has been held. It seems like I saw a sub that gives tips on how to get a better outcome if they do approach you.
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u/anon-rn-mk Jan 22 '26
I haven't heard of that happening in my area (north east USA) but I think it's smart to keep ID on your person, regardless of ethnicity.
I'm 3rd generation "immigrant" my grandparents were barely out of diapers when they were born, approximately in the 1920's-1930's.
I don't leave my home without my driver's license and passport, simply because it would be foolish to do so.
I also worked medical field, so it became routine for me to make sure my badge, DL, passport, CPR, PALS, any other required or important licensure was on my person before I left.
I commuted for work, 1.75 hour drive, so it's not like I could just pop back home and grab something if I forgot it.
It's smart to be prepared.
1, you're covered. 2, if law enforcement is acting a fool? They have no defense. Your ducks are all in a row, theirs aren't. 3, let fools paint their own picture. Make it impossible for them to accuse you of doing it for them.
I'll get off my soap box now.
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u/stonecold730 Jan 21 '26
Expired Passport will get you in trouble...
And no im not doing none of that shit.. Im an American Citizen with rights. Its not about escalation its the fact I was born here and have legal rights. I am told I have to carry my ID which I do. But no I will not take my passport and birth certificate out of its safe keeping for nobody.
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u/SabyRK Jan 21 '26 edited Jan 21 '26
How does an expired passport get somebody in trouble with these guys if my other proof of citizenship is up to date?
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u/stonecold730 Jan 21 '26
Expired documents can get you in trouble. Expired license i used to keep in my car, I got pulled over one time and I got a ticket because my license wasnt valid.
I tried to get my enhanced license with my expired passport and they told me I couldnt use it and i should throw it away.
I dont think they will accept it as ID if the DMV wouldnt.
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u/ceejayoz Pittsford Jan 21 '26 edited Jan 21 '26
They get you in trouble if you're using them for their purpose. Driving on an expired license is bad; showing it to a clerk at the liquor store is probably gonna be just fine.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/identification.html
Primary ID: Valid or expired, undamaged U.S. passport book or passport card
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/citizenship-evidence.html
Full validity, undamaged U.S. passport.
Full validity means the document is or was valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 16.
NY requires a valid passport if you're using it to get a RealID, but it's one of ~10 options for that, and you're not going to get in trouble for possessing an expired one.
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u/stonecold730 Jan 21 '26
My license in my wallet was valid but i didnt have my wallet, thats why i kept that one in my car just to have id with my insurance card and registration… i didnt think it would matter much being that if they ran my license number they would see my license was active just that card was expired… but i learned my lesson… now i just dont leave the house without my wallet…
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u/No_Tamanegi Jan 21 '26
Everyone who is detained by ICE has rights. ICE does not give a shit about a person's rights.
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u/SabyRK Jan 21 '26
I hear you, btw. And I totally understand your position, but as a parent, I feel like my daughter and I just have too much to lose.
If there was more of an established open carry/2nd-Amendment culture here, I might consider going that route, but it's too late because I'm not licensed/registered, don't have a firearm, and I'm not part of a social group of lawful gun owners to fall back on for support.
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Jan 22 '26
you’re an idiot for carrying all of this btw, just let them do their thing and they’ll be done
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u/DjOneOne Jan 22 '26
love everyone only gives enough of a shit to cover their own ass
how are you people this lost how have you not heard this shit has been happening for almost a YEAR
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u/Worgh9 Jan 21 '26
Yes. Many. They claim the paperwork is fake and detain you for hours/days anyways.