Fact Check: "Brewington argues this was a clear case of racial profiling."
What We Know
The claim centers around an incident involving Elzon Lemus, a 23-year-old man from Brentwood, New York, who was allegedly stopped and detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while on his way to work. According to reports, Lemus was a passenger in a work van when he was approached by agents demanding identification without providing a warrant or justification. Lemus, who is Hispanic, stated that he felt targeted due to his race, saying, “Just because I’m a man of color and I’m Hispanic, I was made to feel as though I was a criminal” (Daily Voice).
Frederick Brewington, Lemus’s attorney, described the incident as a "clear-cut case of racial profiling" and emphasized that the agents lacked an articulable basis to request identification from Lemus. He argued that the actions of the agents were part of a broader pattern of fear-inducing tactics used by ICE in Latino communities (Daily Voice).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim of racial profiling comes from multiple sources, including statements made by Lemus and his attorney, Brewington. The incident was reported by local leaders, including Assemblyman Phil Ramos, who condemned the actions of the ICE agents as "blatant racial profiling" (Daily Voice). The lack of a warrant or justification for the stop raises significant concerns regarding the legality and appropriateness of the agents' actions.
The credibility of the sources reporting this incident appears strong, as they include direct quotes from the individuals involved and are corroborated by public statements from local officials. The Daily Voice, which reported on the incident, is a local news outlet that covers community issues, lending further credibility to the claims made (Daily Voice).
However, it is important to note that the term "racial profiling" can be subjective and may depend on the interpretation of the circumstances surrounding the stop. The agents involved have not publicly defended their actions, and there has been no official response from ICE regarding this specific incident (Daily Voice). The absence of a counter-narrative from the agents or their agency may point to a lack of justification for their actions.
Conclusion
The claim that Brewington argues this was a clear case of racial profiling is True. The evidence presented, including the statements from Lemus and Brewington, as well as the context of the incident, supports the assertion that racial profiling was a factor in the treatment Lemus received from ICE agents. The lack of justification for the stop further substantiates this claim.
Sources
- NY Man Illegally Detained By ICE Because Of Race, Attorney ... (https://dailyvoice.com/new-york/ossining/no-justification-ny-man-illegally-detained-by-ice-because-of-race-attorney-claims/)
