ICE Detainment Of Citizen In Manassas Leads Scrutinized By Senator

MANASSAS, VA — A detainment of a U.S. citizen by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Manassas has led one of Virginia's senators to seek answers.

According to a report from NBC Washington, ICE detained and handcuffed Jensy Machado on March 5. Machado told NBC-affiliated Telemundo 44 that the ICE agents wouldn't let him show his ID at first. The agents handcuffed him and began questioning him. The resident said ICE was seeking another man who provided Machado's address, but Machado claimed to not know him.

Once he showed his REAL ID driver's license, he was let go. Obtaining a REAL ID-compliant card requires providing proof of legal presence, along other documents.

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Virginia) has voiced concerns to Homeland Security and ICE, saying "undisciplined, hostile, or threatening enforcement actions by ICE" could hurt relationships with communities and ICE's enforcement efforts.

“All Virginians, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status, deserve to be treated with respect and must be properly afforded their rights as expressed in the U.S. Constitution," Warner said in a statement. "Any law enforcement performing immigration enforcement must abide by the U.S. Constitution and federal law. When ICE agents violate or create the appearance of a violating the rights of their fellow citizens, it does harm to all Virginians and all Americans."

In the letter to Homeland Security and ICE, Warner requested answers regarding the incident and ICE policies. A few of those questions were ICE worked with state and local law enforcement on the incident, how ICE agents identified themselves in the incident, if they identified themselves before drawing weapons, who were the ICE agents seeking in the incident, how ICE ensures citizens and other lawful residents aren't mistakenly targeted, and more.