Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained 25-year-old U.S. citizen José Martín Reyes Jr. in Donna, Texas, after blocking his vehicle outside a school, according to a report by N+ Univision. Reyes was traveling with his pregnant wife and one-year-old daughter when agents surrounded his car, mistakenly targeting him in place of another individual they were tracking.
The Detention Outside the Donna School
The incident unfolded shortly after Reyes dropped off two of his children at school in Donna, Texas. Multiple enforcement vehicles trapped his car on the roadway. Despite Reyes repeatedly telling the personnel that he held U.S. citizenship, agents removed him from the vehicle by force, placed him in handcuffs, and struck him, N+ Univision reported. His wife recorded the entire encounter on her phone.
During the confrontation, an agent attempted to smash the rear window of the vehicle directly beside the seat where his one-year-old daughter sat. Agents kept Reyes detained until dispatchers confirmed his citizenship status over the radio, prompting his release on the scene.
Medical Fallout for the Family
Following the ordeal, Reyes’s wife, who is 38 weeks pregnant, began experiencing acute abdominal pain. She required an immediate hospital evaluation to check on her health and the condition of the unborn child. Reyes confirmed later that both his wife and the baby were recovering safely after the medical checkup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did immigration agents target José Martín Reyes Jr.?
N+ Univision reported that ICE agents mistakenly targeted Reyes, confusing him with another individual they were actively searching for in the area.
How was his U.S. citizenship verified?
Agents released Reyes only after receiving a verbal confirmation of his U.S. citizenship via radio dispatch while he remained detained at the scene.
What happened to the family after the release?
Reyes’s wife, who is 38 weeks pregnant, suffered abdominal pains due to the stress of the incident and went to a local hospital for a medical examination.