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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed that a widely shared video showing plainclothes officers wrestling a traveler to the ground at Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) was the result of a failed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest.
The incident occurred on July 13th inside the airport’s Terminal 3 and quickly gained attention on social media after bystanders filmed two individuals in casual clothing attempting to detain a man without any immediately visible law enforcement identification.
According to DHS, the traveler was Phu Nguyen, a 57-year-old Australian citizen born in Vietnam who allegedly overstayed a US visa after arriving in 2015. The agency said the officers were forced to abandon the arrest after being confronted by members of the public who began recording the encounter.
The video shows one officer pinning Nguyen to the floor while another places a handcuff on one of his wrists. As concerned passengers questioned what was happening, the officers walked away, leaving Nguyen standing with a handcuff still attached to his arm.
Witnesses initially believed they were watching an assault or robbery because the officers were dressed as ordinary travelers. One agent wore a hooded sweatshirt pulled over their head, while another concealed part of their face with a medical mask. A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer later informed bystanders that the individuals were federal law enforcement.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to the disturbance and found Nguyen still wearing one handcuff. Officers determined there were no active warrants for his arrest, removed the restraint, and after a medical evaluation, Nguyen was allowed to board his scheduled flight to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). DHS said ICE agents later met the flight upon arrival in Los Angeles and took Nguyen into custody. He remains in ICE detention.
In a statement, ICE blamed the failed arrest on what it described as “anti-ICE agitators.” However, the viral video does not show bystanders identifying the officers as federal agents before questioning their actions and many appeared to believe they were witnessing a civilian assault due to the officers’ plainclothes appearance. Here is the full statement:
On July 13, ICE attempted to arrest Phu Nguyen, an illegal alien who is an illegal alien and citizen of Australia and was born in Vietnam, at the Las Vegas Airport. As officers attempted to arrest Nguyen, a crowd of anti-ICE agitators surrounded officers. To de-escalate the situation and for officer safety, officers did not proceed with the arrest at the Las Vegas Airport and chose to instead arrest him at his flight the following day departing the Los Angeles International Airport on July 14.
Nguyen entered the United States legally on a visa on May 27, 2013, with permission to remain in the United States until May 26, 2015. Nguyen refused to depart in violation of our nation’s laws. He will receive full due process and remain in ICE custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings.
Being in detention is a choice. We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $2,600 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.”
Anthony’s Take: The incident has fueled renewed debate over the use of undercover immigration officers in public spaces, particularly in busy airport terminals where travelers may have difficulty distinguishing law enforcement officers from other passengers. There is no reason why these officers cannot display badges and identify themselves.
(Featured Image Credit: @motleymodel via Instagram.)
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