Fact Check: "The 23-year-old was pulled out of the van, placed in handcuffs, and detained for about 25 minutes while the agent searched him."
What We Know
On June 12, 2025, a 23-year-old electrician named Elzon Lemus was pulled over by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while driving a work van in Westbury, New York. According to reports, Lemus was asked for identification by the agents, who claimed he "looked like someone they were looking for." When he questioned the stop, the situation escalated, leading to him being pulled out of the van and placed in handcuffs. He was reportedly detained for approximately 25 minutes while the agents searched him (NBC New York, Yahoo News). Eventually, they confirmed his citizenship and released him without any explanation or apology (Yahoo News).
Analysis
The claim that Lemus was pulled out of the van, placed in handcuffs, and detained for about 25 minutes is corroborated by multiple sources. NBC New York reported that Lemus was indeed handcuffed and held for that duration while the agents searched him (NBC New York). Additionally, other news outlets, including Yahoo News, confirmed the timeline and details of the incident, stating that he was detained for around 20 to 25 minutes (Yahoo News, Yahoo News).
The sources reporting this incident are credible, as they are established news organizations. NBC New York is a reputable local news outlet, and Yahoo News is known for aggregating news from various reliable sources. However, it is essential to note that the incident raises concerns about potential racial profiling and constitutional rights violations, as highlighted by civil rights experts who commented on the case (NBC New York).
The context of increased ICE enforcement efforts across the country may also play a role in the scrutiny of such stops, making it crucial to evaluate the legality of the agents' actions. Legal experts have pointed out that stops based solely on a "hunch" without articulable reasons may violate constitutional protections (NBC New York).
Conclusion
The claim that "the 23-year-old was pulled out of the van, placed in handcuffs, and detained for about 25 minutes while the agent searched him" is True. Multiple reliable sources confirm the details of the incident, including the duration of the detention and the circumstances surrounding it.
Sources
- FBI's Crime Data Explorer (CDE)
- Killing of Freddie Gray
- Long Island man detained by ICE despite US citizenship
- US citizen blasts ICE after being detained as he drove to ...
- US citizen detained by ICE on Long Island speaks out, ...
- Another U.S. Citizen of Hispanic Origin Detained by ICE on ...
- Protesters in Philadelphia call for release of asylum seeker ...
