Fact check: Does ICE intentionally arrest US citizens

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, ICE has indeed arrested and detained US citizens, though the intentionality remains disputed. Multiple sources document specific cases of US citizens being wrongfully targeted by immigration enforcement.

Documented cases include:

• Adrian Martinez, a 20-year-old US citizen who was tackled and arrested by multiple US Customs and Border Protection agents ^[1]
• Andrea Velez, a US citizen detained by federal agents in downtown LA, with her family claiming she was targeted due to her appearance ^[2]

Government data reveals the scope of the problem: At least 70 US citizens were wrongfully deported by ICE between 2015 and 2020, with hundreds more detained or arrested due to flawed systems and lack of proper citizenship verification ^{[3] [4]}. This represents what sources describe as a constitutional violation requiring better safeguards and accountability within ICE ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important context about the systematic nature of these incidents and the official government response.

Government's position: The Department of Homeland Security contradicts claims of intentional targeting, stating that ICE does not deport US citizens and characterizing legal challenges as being based on "false claims" ^[5]. They provide examples where US citizen children accompanied parents who were being removed, suggesting these were not deportations of citizens themselves.

Political context: One analysis suggests these operations are part of a broader strategy to "terrorize blue cities with Democratic mayors and large immigrant communities," with US citizens being collateral damage in these enforcement actions ^[1].

Who benefits from different narratives:

• Immigration enforcement agencies benefit from downplaying intentional targeting, as it protects their operational authority and budget allocations
• Civil rights organizations and Democratic politicians benefit from highlighting these cases to build support for immigration reform and increased oversight
• The Trump administration and Republican budget makers benefit from expanded ICE operations, as evidenced by proposals to hire 10,000 more ICE agents ^[1]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question assumes a level of intentionality that may not be fully supported by the evidence. While US citizens are demonstrably being arrested by ICE, the question of whether this is "intentional" versus systematic negligence remains contested.

Key biases to consider:

• Government sources ^[5] have institutional incentives to minimize acknowledgment of wrongful arrests
• Advocacy-oriented sources may emphasize the most egregious cases while potentially overstating intentionality
• The framing of arrests as targeting based on "appearance" ^[2] suggests potential racial profiling, but this interpretation comes from family members rather than official investigations

The evidence clearly shows US citizens are being wrongfully arrested and even deported, but whether this constitutes intentional targeting versus systematic failures in verification processes remains a point of significant dispute between government officials and civil rights advocates.