PHOENIX (AP) — Video footage of two Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents seizing a man at the Las Vegas airport has sparked public outrage and criticism from elected officials.
One video posted on social media showed a man screaming and crying on the ground at Harry Reid International Airport Terminal 3 Monday as a masked man and woman, both in plain clothes, tried to control, handcuff and detain him. When the couple realized they were being filmed, they walked away, leaving the man handcuffed on one arm.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police found the man had no outstanding warrants, removed his handcuffs and notified ICE.
ICE officers did not proceed Monday to arrest Phu Nguyen, a 57-year-old Australian citizen who overstayed his visa, at the Las Vegas airport, according to the Department of Homeland Security. ICE arrested him Tuesday as he took off from Los Angeles International Airport, the Department of Homeland Security said.
“ICE continues to operate with impunity, instilling fear in our communities and intimidating tourists, hurting our tourism economy,” Democratic U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada said in a statement. “Enough is enough. ICE must follow the same common sense rules as other law enforcement agencies.”
The Nevada Legislative Hispanic Caucus and the Native Asian Pacific Islanders Caucus are calling for a full investigation into the aborted ICE arrest at Harry Reid International Airport, calling on Gov. Joe Lombardo to explain transparency and accountability for federal law enforcement operating in Nevada.