Consider This from NPR

Episode: Congress is Investigating Cases of U.S. Citizens Detained in Immigration Raids
Date: October 24, 2025
Host: Adrian Florido

Episode Overview

This episode explores the troubling reports of U.S. citizens being mistakenly detained by immigration agents during aggressive enforcement operations under the Trump administration. With at least 170 U.S. citizens reportedly detained, the episode focuses on personal stories, Congressional investigations, and the broader implications of these actions for civil rights. Key voices include George Reddes, a veteran detained by ICE agents, and Democratic Representative Robert Garcia, who outlines Congressional efforts to investigate and document these civil rights concerns.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Account: The Detention of George Reddes

• Background: George Reddes, an Iraq combat veteran and U.S. citizen, recounts being detained by immigration agents during a raid at his workplace—a cannabis farm north of Los Angeles.
• Reddes’s Experience:
  • Despite clear indicators of his citizenship—veteran plates, IDs, and stickers—agents dismissed his evidence.

    • “I have all the proof to prove I'm a citizen. ... And so I let them know I could provide proof I'm a citizen. They didn't care.” — George Reddes (00:00)

  • Reddes describes the escalation:
    • Tear gas deployed around his car, causing disorientation and distress (00:38)
    • Agents broke his window and pepper-sprayed him with no questions asked before forcibly removing him from the car.

    • “The agent sticks his arm through and pepper sprays me in the face, no questions. ... They drag me out of the car and I basically go into a rag doll. Let them do whatever they want.” — George Reddes (00:52)

  • Reddes was detained for three days without formal charges or access to legal representation despite asking for a lawyer and a phone call.

    • “I asked for a lawyer, I asked for a phone call. They just completely ignore it.” — George Reddes (01:19)

2. Disputed Official Account

• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed Reddes was arrested due to violent behavior and refusal to comply.
  • Reddes’s response:

    • “It's a complete lie.” — George Reddes (01:12)

• Highlight: Despite DHS claims, Reddes was never charged with a crime.

3. Larger Pattern and Racial Profiling Concerns

• ProPublica reports at least 170 U.S. citizens have been detained by immigration agents since Trump took office. NPR has not independently confirmed this.
• Many detentions have occurred amidst protests, with allegations that roving agents are racially profiling Latinos.

• “It is incredibly concerning that now anyone can be targeted. ... It's very apparent that a lot of this is being done because of race or ethnicity.” — Rep. Robert Garcia (03:56)

4. Congressional Response: Investigation and Accountability

• Interview with Rep. Robert Garcia (CA):
  • Garcia is leading a Congressional investigation with Sen. Richard Blumenthal into detentions of U.S. citizens.
• Objectives of the Investigation:
  • Why and how detentions of citizens are occurring.
  • Documentation of due process violations.
  • Ensuring Congressional oversight despite lacking subpoena power as the minority party.

    • “That does not stop our ability ... to collect information, talk to witnesses, put things on the record, ensure that we have an accounting of what's actually going on.” — Rep. Garcia (05:02)

• Actions Announced:
  • Launching an online ICE misconduct tracker to document civil rights violations, including citizen detentions.
  • Response to criticism (Attorney General Pam Bondi accused Garcia of endangering agents):

    • “This is not a live location tracker. ... We're publishing records after the fact to expose any patterns of misconduct. ... They're creating a fake controversy.” — Rep. Garcia (05:50)

• Will the Investigation Matter?
  • Despite recent Supreme Court support for broad immigration authority, Garcia believes documenting violations will create future accountability.

    • “The kind of inhumanity that we're seeing across the country ... needs to be documented by the US Congress. ... The idea that now anyone, including a United States citizen, could be detained and thrown into a detention center, it should concern every single person.” — Rep. Garcia (06:46)

5. Official DHS Response

• DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called racial profiling allegations “disgusting, reckless, and categorically false,” warning that obstructing law enforcement would have consequences. (07:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• George Reddes on being ignored despite clear evidence of citizenship:

  “They didn't care.” (00:10)

• George Reddes on violence during the arrest:

  “The agent sticks his arm through and pepper sprays me in the face, no questions.” (00:52)

• Rep. Robert Garcia on the scale of the problem:

  “Now anyone can be targeted ... a lot of this is being done because of race or ethnicity.” (03:56)

• Rep. Robert Garcia on the goals of Congressional oversight:

  “We're going to keep a very detailed record ... ensure that we're doing our constitutional duty of oversight.” (05:02)

• DHS statement:

  “Allegations that DHS law enforcement engages in racial profiling are disgusting, reckless, and categorically false.” — Tricia McLaughlin, DHS (07:45)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00-01:23 — George Reddes’s detention experience
• 01:23-02:18 — Context: pattern of citizen detentions
• 03:33-07:39 — Interview with Rep. Robert Garcia: Congressional investigation, ICE tracker, and accountability
• 07:45 — DHS official response and summary

Summary Tone & Context

The tone throughout is urgent and critical, with firsthand accounts highlighting both the personal impact of mistaken detentions and the broader threat to civil rights. Congressional guests frame their actions as necessary oversight for due process and constitutional protections, while government officials refute claims of misconduct or profiling. For listeners, the episode offers a concise but thorough look at a complex, unfolding civil rights issue in the context of heightened immigration enforcement.