Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are accused of confiscating a teenage boy’s phone and subsequently selling it, according to a troubling report by ProPublica. The incident involves 16-year-old Arnoldo Bazan, who was with his father, Arnulfo Bazan Carrillo, when they were confronted by masked agents while visiting a McDonald’s in Texas. The agents allegedly used excessive force, tackling Arnulfo to the ground and placing Arnoldo in a chokehold.
The encounter escalated when Arnoldo informed the agent that he was a minor and a U.S. citizen, but his pleas were ignored. “I started screaming with everything I had, because I couldn’t even breathe,” Arnoldo recounted to ProPublica. After the incident, his phone was confiscated, and he was taken into custody. Later, he used the Find My feature to locate his device, which led him to a vending machine for used electronics, several miles from the scene, near an ICE detention center.
The report raises serious questions about ICE’s conduct. Tech journalist Mike Masnick remarked on the severity of the situation, highlighting that the agents not only confiscated Arnoldo’s property but also sold it afterward. ProPublica confirmed that Arnoldo had to track down his phone, which had been sold at a vending machine close to the detention facility.
Escalating Concerns Over ICE Operations
Arnoldo’s case comes in the wake of heightened scrutiny of ICE, particularly following the recent fatal shooting of Renee Good by agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis. Good was shot while attempting to leave the scene, and the incident has fueled discussions about ICE’s aggressive tactics in various U.S. cities, where they have reportedly used excessive force against civilians, regardless of their immigration status.
President Donald Trump defended the actions of the agent involved in Good’s death, claiming that she acted provocatively. This incident, along with Arnoldo’s experience, has intensified public outcry against ICE’s methods.
After being released from ICE custody, Arnoldo was taken to Texas Children’s Hospital, where medical staff moved him to a trauma unit upon discovering signs of injury consistent with a chokehold. Medical records indicate that he underwent numerous CT scans and X-rays to assess potential damage to his head, neck, and spine.
His family alleges that ICE agents threatened to charge Arnoldo with assaulting an officer if Arnulfo did not agree to voluntary deportation. As a result, Arnulfo is currently in Mexico, leaving the family grappling with the aftermath of the incident.
This alarming account exposes the potential for abuse within ICE operations, raising questions about accountability and the treatment of individuals during immigration enforcement actions. As the public continues to demand reform, the implications of Arnoldo’s experience reflect broader concerns about civil rights and law enforcement practices in the United States.