Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained a U.S. citizen in Maryland for nearly two hours without providing justification, raising serious questions about civil liberties and enforcement procedures during routine operations.

American Citizen Handcuffed Outside Coffee Shop

Samuel Guzman stopped for coffee on his way to work in Annapolis Sunday morning when ICE vehicles surrounded the parking lot. An agent approached Guzman as he exited the store, handcuffed him, and questioned his immigration status. Despite repeatedly stating he was born in the United States, agents refused to believe him and confiscated his phone, wallet, and car keys before placing him in a vehicle.

Agents transported Guzman to a nearby parking lot where they questioned him extensively. He was asked where he came from and what he was doing in the area. When Guzman requested to see his identification to prove his citizenship, agents told him they had already taken all his belongings. His request to make a phone call was denied during the entire detention.

DHS Explains Detention Based On Vehicle Registration

The Department of Homeland Security responded Thursday after being contacted for comment on the incident. Officials stated ICE stopped a car registered to someone in the country illegally and moved Guzman to another location for questioning because of gathering agitators at the original site. Guzman explained he purchased the vehicle from an acquaintance last year but had not yet transferred the registration into his own name.

After approximately two hours in custody, agents returned Guzman to the original location and released him without explanation. He was never formally charged or given documentation about why federal authorities detained him despite his American citizenship. The incident occurred during what appeared to be a targeted ICE operation in the Annapolis area.

Constitutional Concerns Over Detention Practices

The detention raises fundamental questions about Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure. American citizens possess constitutional rights that should prevent prolonged detention without probable cause or reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. The case highlights ongoing debates about immigration enforcement tactics and their impact on citizens, particularly when vehicle ownership records create mistaken identity situations. Legal experts note that denying phone calls during such detentions potentially violates due process rights guaranteed to all Americans regardless of immigration enforcement objectives.