Judge blocks ICE deportation of Utah man detained after pinto bean arrest
Mar 12, 2026·Location: Salt Lake City, UT

Lorenzo Chavez Rascon, a 22-year-old Utah man, was arrested on February 23, 2026, on suspicion of selling drugs, but the substances were determined to be dried pinto beans. He was released from initial criminal custody but subsequently detained by ICE based on a detainer, despite holding deferred action status from a pending U-visa petition. On March 11, 2026, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking his deportation and ordered the government to explain why he should not be released, ruling that his continued detention violated his constitutional due process rights. As of March 14, he remained in federal custody.
Timeline
Sources
- ICE detains man over suspected drugs, turns out to be dried pinto beans
Newsweek·Mar 13, 2026·archived copy
- lawandcrime.com
- A Utah man was arrested after suspected drugs turned out to be pinto beans. Once released, ICE detained him.
- The Salt Lake Tribune - Utah News, Sports, Religion & Entertainment
- ICE agents detain Colombian man in Utah courthouse after immigration case dismissed
KUTV·Jan 22, 2026·archived copy
- Utah man wrongfully detained by ICE for nearly 50 days, attorney says
ksltv.com·Jul 3, 2025·archived copy
- Bond granted for Utah man detained by ICE during final green card interview
KMYU·Dec 16, 2025·archived copy
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