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Index/Topics/Mistaken Detentions of U.S. Citizens by ICE (2015-2026)

Mistaken Detentions of U.S. Citizens by ICE (2015-2026)

Mistaken detentions of U.S. citizens by ICE are rare but persistent, with at least 895 detainers issued between FY2015 and mid-2020, and thousands of mistaken identifications over longer timeframes.

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Jan 18, 2026
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How frequently do ICE agents mistake US citizens for immigrants?

Mistaken detentions of U.S. citizens by ICE are rare compared with the agency’s overall enforcement footprint but are neither isolated nor fully quantified: GAO found at least 895 detainers issued for...