Fact Check: "The ICE agents reportedly said that Lemus 'looks like somebody we are looking for.'"
What We Know
On June 12, 2025, Elzon Lemus, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen, was stopped and detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while he was a passenger in a vehicle in Westbury, New York. During this encounter, the ICE agents allegedly stated that Lemus "looks like somebody we are looking for" (source-1). This incident was reported widely, with multiple sources confirming the claim that ICE agents made this statement during their interaction with Lemus (source-2, source-3, source-4).
Lemus expressed his frustration and fear during a press conference, stating that he felt treated like a criminal simply for being Hispanic. He questioned the agents about who they were looking for, asserting that it was not him (source-2). The encounter was documented on video, which Lemus's attorney used to highlight the aggressive nature of the agents' demands for identification (source-1).
Analysis
The claim that ICE agents said Lemus "looks like somebody we are looking for" is corroborated by several credible sources. The Independent, Yahoo News, and AOL all reported the same statement made by the agents during the incident (source-2, source-3, source-5). The consistency across these reports adds to the reliability of the claim.
However, it is essential to consider the context and potential biases in the reporting. The sources reporting on this incident come from various backgrounds, including local news outlets and broader news platforms. While they all report the same statement, the framing of the incident may vary based on the outlet's editorial stance. For instance, some reports emphasize the racial profiling aspect of the encounter, which could influence public perception (source-2, source-4).
Despite this potential bias, the core claim about what the ICE agents said is supported by multiple independent reports and video evidence shared by Lemus and his attorney. Therefore, the reliability of the claim stands strong.
Conclusion
The claim that ICE agents said Elzon Lemus "looks like somebody we are looking for" is True. This assertion is backed by multiple credible sources reporting on the incident, and the consistency of these reports reinforces its validity. The incident raises significant concerns about racial profiling and the treatment of individuals by federal agents, particularly in the context of immigration enforcement.
Sources
- US citizen detained by ICE speaks out, calls agents 'criminals'
- US citizen blasts ICE after being detained as he drove to ...
- US citizen blasts ICE after being detained as he drove to ...
- US citizen detained by ICE on Long Island speaks out, ...
- US citizen blasts ICE after being detained as he drove to ...
- US citizen blasts ICE after being detained as he drove to ...
- ICE agents mistakenly detain U.S. marshal in Arizona
