Date: April 22, 2025
A 19yearold U.S. citizen from New Mexico, Jose Hermosillo, was wrongfully detained by Border Patrol agents in Nogales, Arizona, for nearly 10 days earlier this month. Hermosillo, who was visiting the Tucson area from Albuquerque, was arrested on April 8 under suspicion of being an undocumented immigrant. Despite consistently asserting his U.S. citizenship, he remained in custody until his family provided proof, including a birth certificate and Social Security card. A federal judge dismissed the case on April 17.
Hermosillos detention occurred amid heightened immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. Critics argue that such incidents reflect systemic issues within immigration agencies, where U.S. citizens are sometimes mistakenly detained or even deported. Between 2015 and 2020, Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE arrested 674 U.S. citizens, with 70 being deported.
The Department of Homeland Security contends that Hermosillo initially claimed to be a Mexican citizen who had entered the U.S. illegally. However, court documents indicate that he maintained his U.S. citizenship claim throughout his detention. His family located him at the Florence Correctional Center, a privately run ICE facility, and secured his release by presenting official documentation.
This case has intensified scrutiny over immigration enforcement practices and raised concerns about the protection of citizens rights. Legal analysts emphasize the importance of due process and caution against policies that may lead to wrongful detentions.