My son is African American and lives in Los Angeles. He is often mistaken for Latino because of his skin tone and facial features. Individuals often approach him speaking Spanish.

 

Should that mean he must carry documentation at all times? It seems as if he risks being stopped by immigration authorities simply based on appearance.

 

If you think I’m being paranoid or overly dramatic, ask the next individuals:

 

• Ernesto Campos Gutierrez, a U.S. citizen and longtime resident of Bakersfield, California, was stopped by Border Patrol agents. They slashed his tires. The agents detained him on suspicion of smuggling undocumented immigrants. He was held for four hours before being released.

• Julio Noriega, a U.S. citizen, was detained by ICE in Berwyn, Illinois, despite presenting valid identification. He was handcuffed and held for several hours before being released. His case has sparked legal action and discussions about racial profiling and constitutional violations.

• Davino Watson, a U.S. citizen, was mistakenly detained for over three years as a deportable undocumented immigrant. He lacked legal representation and was unable to challenge his detention effectively. By the time he was released, the statute of limitations had expired, preventing him from seeking compensation.

This Is Not an Isolated Issue

 

These cases are not outliers; they reveal a systemic failure that disproportionately affects people based on race and ethnicity. There have been numerous documented cases in which U.S. citizens—particularly Black and Latino individuals—have been wrongfully detained by immigration authorities based solely on appearance or perceived ethnicity.

 

A report from the Niskanen Center found that thousands of U.S. citizens have been mistakenly detained. Some have even been deported by ICE over the years. These incidents often occur due to systemic failures. Assumptions based on race or language also contribute.

 

When Appearance Becomes a Risk

The idea that someone should feel compelled to always carry documentation to prove their citizenship simply because of how they look is a stark reminder of the discrimination embedded in certain enforcement practices. It’s not just a matter of inconvenience—it’s a civil rights issue.

I have two grandchildren, ages 12 and 8, who live a few hours outside of Los Angeles. They are of mixed heritage—Black and Mexican. Will their parents need to prepare them for the same scrutiny? Will they be next? My daughter-in-law was born and raised in the United States, as was her mother. Yet I find myself wondering: is she safe? Is it safe for any of them to be out in public without fear?

 

I live in the Midwest, over 2,000 miles away from my family—33 hours by car. And like so many others in this country, I am worried sick.

 

What Can We Do?

 

This is not just about policy. It’s about dignity and freedom. It’s about the fear that identity alone could make someone a target.

 

We must speak up against racial profiling in immigration enforcement. We must hold leaders accountable for policies that erode civil rights. We must stand united. No one should be treated as a suspect simply because of how they look.

 

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