09/15/2026
Alabama construction worker Leo Garcia Venegas, a U.S. citizen, says immigration officers detained him three separate times in 2025, even after he told them he was a citizen and showed his Alabama REAL ID.
According to his federal lawsuit, two encounters happened at construction sites in Baldwin County. During a third encounter, officers allegedly followed him to his home, pulled him from his vehicle, handcuffed and shackled him, and placed him in a government vehicle.
Garcia Venegas sued the federal government, arguing that the encounters violated his constitutional rights. A federal judge has now allowed his lawsuit to move forward, rejecting the government’s attempt to have the case dismissed.
The case is also raising questions about how immigration officers treat REAL IDs and how citizens can be protected from wrongful detention.
Being detained once would be alarming enough — three times is what makes this case so striking. 🇺🇸⚖️
Do you think his case could lead to changes in how immigration officers verify citizenship?
