Fact Check: "As of June 2025, no lawsuit has been filed by Elzon Lemus regarding the incident, but he and his attorney are calling for a full investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice."
What We Know
Elzon Lemus, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Westbury, New York, while he was on his way to work on June 3, 2025. During the incident, Lemus was handcuffed and questioned by ICE agents who claimed he "looked like someone they were looking for" (Independent). The encounter was recorded on Lemus' phone, and he expressed feeling that his rights were violated during the interaction (NBC New York).
As of the latest reports, Lemus and his attorney have not filed a lawsuit against ICE but are actively calling for a full investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the incident (Yahoo, NBC New York). This aligns with statements made by his attorney, Fred Brewington, who has characterized the stop as a potential violation of civil rights and a case of racial profiling (Independent, NBC New York).
Analysis
The claim that no lawsuit has been filed by Elzon Lemus and that he and his attorney are requesting an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice is supported by multiple credible sources. Reports from the Independent and NBC New York confirm that as of the date of the articles, no legal action had been initiated, and both Lemus and his attorney were advocating for a federal investigation into the conduct of ICE agents during the incident.
The sources used in this fact-check are reliable and well-regarded in the field of journalism. The Independent and NBC New York are established news outlets with a history of reporting on civil rights issues and law enforcement practices. The consistency across these reports strengthens the credibility of the information presented. Additionally, the involvement of a civil rights attorney adds a layer of legal context to the claims being made by Lemus.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The assertion that as of June 2025, no lawsuit has been filed by Elzon Lemus regarding the incident, but he and his attorney are calling for a full investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, is accurate. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that Lemus has not pursued legal action at this time but is seeking an investigation into the actions of ICE agents.
Sources
- US citizen blasts ICE after being detained as he drove to ...
- US citizen blasts ICE after being detained as he drove to ...
- Grok - X
- Long Island man detained by ICE despite US citizenship
- US citizen blasts ICE after being detained as he drove to ...
- US citizen stopped, searched by ICE on Long Island: Lawyer
- Elzon Lemus Illegally Detained By ICE In Westbury: Attorney
- US citizen stopped, searched by ICE on Long Island: Lawyer