Immigration agents are putting civilians' lives at risk by using banned chokeholds, despite a ban on such tactics being in place since 2023. ProPublica has found over 40 cases of agents using these life-threatening maneuvers on immigrants, citizens, and protesters.
In Houston, an agent put a teenage citizen into a chokehold, wrapping his arm around the boy's neck, choking him so hard that his neck had red welts hours later. In Los Angeles, a black-masked agent pressed his knee into a woman's neck while she was handcuffed; she then appeared to pass out.
In Massachusetts, an agent jabbed his finger and thumb into the neck and arteries of a young father who refused to be separated from his wife and 1-year-old daughter. The man's eyes rolled back in his head, and he started convulsing.
Experts say that these tactics are not only prohibited but also dangerous, as they can cause strokes, seizures, brain damage, and even death. "Even milliseconds or seconds of interrupted blood flow to the brain can have serious consequences," says Dr. Altaf Saadi, a neurologist.
The Department of Homeland Security's use-of-force policy states that carotid restraints are prohibited unless deadly force is authorized. However, in several cases reviewed by ProPublica, agents used these restraints despite not having a deadly threat.
Experts say that the lack of accountability for such incidents is a major issue. "It's so clearly excessive and ridiculous," says Danny Murphy, a former deputy commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department. "That's the kind of action which should get you fired."
The Houston Police Department has yet to interview the family of the 16-year-old who was choked by an agent, despite having footage of the incident. The agency claims it cannot investigate federal agents.
However, some officials are trying to hold federal immigration officers to account. In California, the state Legislature passed bills prohibiting immigration officers from wearing masks and requiring them to display identification during operations. In Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker signed a law that allows residents to sue any officer who violates state or federal constitutional rights.
As for the agents who used banned tactics, it is unclear whether they have been disciplined. The Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, provided a statement responding to some of the incidents but did not explain why agents used banned tactics or whether any of the agents have been disciplined for doing so.
In Houston, an agent put a teenage citizen into a chokehold, wrapping his arm around the boy's neck, choking him so hard that his neck had red welts hours later. In Los Angeles, a black-masked agent pressed his knee into a woman's neck while she was handcuffed; she then appeared to pass out.
In Massachusetts, an agent jabbed his finger and thumb into the neck and arteries of a young father who refused to be separated from his wife and 1-year-old daughter. The man's eyes rolled back in his head, and he started convulsing.
Experts say that these tactics are not only prohibited but also dangerous, as they can cause strokes, seizures, brain damage, and even death. "Even milliseconds or seconds of interrupted blood flow to the brain can have serious consequences," says Dr. Altaf Saadi, a neurologist.
The Department of Homeland Security's use-of-force policy states that carotid restraints are prohibited unless deadly force is authorized. However, in several cases reviewed by ProPublica, agents used these restraints despite not having a deadly threat.
Experts say that the lack of accountability for such incidents is a major issue. "It's so clearly excessive and ridiculous," says Danny Murphy, a former deputy commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department. "That's the kind of action which should get you fired."
The Houston Police Department has yet to interview the family of the 16-year-old who was choked by an agent, despite having footage of the incident. The agency claims it cannot investigate federal agents.
However, some officials are trying to hold federal immigration officers to account. In California, the state Legislature passed bills prohibiting immigration officers from wearing masks and requiring them to display identification during operations. In Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker signed a law that allows residents to sue any officer who violates state or federal constitutional rights.
As for the agents who used banned tactics, it is unclear whether they have been disciplined. The Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, provided a statement responding to some of the incidents but did not explain why agents used banned tactics or whether any of the agents have been disciplined for doing so.
This is just straight up crazy! I mean, we know that immigration agents are supposed to be enforcing laws and keeping us safe, but this? It's like something out of a movie where they're all like "oh, I'm going to just choke someone for no reason!" 
And the worst part is, it's been happening since 2023 and people are still getting hurt. Like, what even is the point of these agents if they can't follow basic rules? 
It's so ridiculous that they're not being held accountable for their actions. I mean, we have laws in place to protect us from our own government, but it seems like some people think they're above the law too. 
And what about the accountability issue? Like, if someone does something wrong, they should get fired or at least face consequences! It's not just about "oh, maybe we'll do something about it eventually". No way! The family of that 16-year-old boy who got choked by an agent is still waiting to be interviewed, and that's just unacceptable. We need some serious change here. 
... these immigration agents are literally putting people's lives at risk with those chokeholds!!! its like they dont care about the people they're supposed to be helping, they just wanna intimidate and control them. i mean who uses a chokehold on a 16 yr old kid?? thats like somethin out of a horror movie 
... what kinda sick person uses that on someone?!
... we need more of that kind of courage and action. and btw, cant these agents just wear their IDs like normal ppl? 
. And what really gets me is the lack of accountability for these agents - like, where are they? Why aren't they being fired or charged with something? 
It's just not right that civilians' lives are being put in danger by people supposed to be protecting them. 
. These chokeholds are like something out of a bad movie and it's crazy that they're still being used despite being banned since 2023. It's not just about the physical harm, it's also about the emotional trauma that these people are going through. I mean, can you imagine if your kid was in the same situation as that teenage boy in Houston? It gives me chills thinking about it 
. And in those incidents where people almost died, the agents just shrug it off and don't face any consequences 
.
. And what's up with not interviewing the families of those affected? That's just insensitive 
. In California and Illinois, they're trying to make sure officers are transparent and follow the law 
. That's a start, but it's still not enough 
. We need to see some serious action taken against those agents who put civilians in harm's way 
.
I'm low-key livid about this stuff going on with immigration agents using banned chokeholds 
. I mean, what's the point of having laws if nobody's gonna hold these guys accountable? It's not just about the physical harm, either - there's also the emotional trauma that comes with being subjected to this kind of treatment 
.
. It's like, we get that some people might try to flee or resist arrest, but choking someone to death is not the answer 
.
. Maybe if there were more consequences for using banned tactics, we'd see fewer incidents of this kind. But until then, I'll just be over here thinking that these chokeholds are totally unacceptable 
he was just walking down the street and suddenly gets choked by a federal agent? it's just not right 
In my opinion, if they're not gonna use the right techniques, then they shouldn't be doing their job in the first place 
. And now I'm seeing cases where agents are using these tactics on civilians, not just immigrants, which is like, totally unacceptable 
. The fact that experts say this can cause strokes, seizures, brain damage, and even death is just horrific 
. In Illinois, at least, residents can sue if they think their rights were violated - that's a step in the right direction 
i mean we got laws in place for a reason, so it's time to take action against these agents who are breakin' 'em. 
