Fact Check: "Lemus was driving in a work van with his co-worker in Westbury when they were pulled over by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents."
What We Know
Elzon Lemus, a 23-year-old electrician, was indeed driving in a work van with his co-worker in Westbury, New York, when they were stopped by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. According to reports, the incident occurred on June 12, 2025, and was recorded by Lemus himself. During the stop, ICE agents asked for identification, stating that Lemus "looked like someone" they were searching for. Lemus questioned the agents about their reasons for stopping them, but the agents did not provide a clear explanation (NBC New York, Yahoo). He was subsequently pulled out of the van, handcuffed, and detained for approximately 25 minutes while the agents searched him (Long Island News 12).
Analysis
The claim that Lemus was driving in a work van with his co-worker when stopped by ICE is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The incident has drawn significant media attention, highlighting concerns over civil rights violations and racial profiling. Civil rights attorney Fred Brewington, who represents Lemus, stated that the stop may have violated constitutional protections, emphasizing that law enforcement cannot stop individuals based solely on a hunch without an articulable basis (NBC New York, Long Island News 12).
The reliability of the sources reporting on this incident is high, as they include established news organizations such as NBC New York and Long Island News 12, both of which have a history of accurate reporting. The incident was also captured on video by Lemus, providing direct evidence of the encounter and the agents' behavior, which adds to the credibility of the claims made.
Conclusion
The claim that Lemus was driving in a work van with his co-worker when they were pulled over by ICE agents is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms the details of the incident, including Lemus's account of being stopped, detained, and subsequently released after his citizenship was verified.
Sources
- U.S. citizen searched by ICE agents on Long Island while ...
- US citizen blasts ICE after being detained as he drove to work: ‘They’re the criminals’
- Long Island man detained by ICE despite US citizenship
- U.S. citizen claims civil rights were violated during ICE ...
- US citizen blasts ICE after being detained as he drove to ...
- Elzon Lemus Illegally Detained By ICE In Westbury: Attorney
- Another U.S. Citizen of Hispanic Origin Detained by ICE on ...
- US citizen detained by ICE on Long Island speaks out, ...