US citizen Maria Greeley detained, zip-tied by federal agents despite valid passport
Oct 14, 2025·Location: Chicago, IL

Maria Greeley, a 44-year-old U.S. citizen and Chicago resident born at Illinois Masonic Hospital, was detained by three masked federal agents outside the Beach Bar on Ohio Street after finishing a double shift in early October 2025. The agents restrained her with zip ties and questioned her for approximately one hour, challenging the authenticity of her passport and telling her she "doesn't look like" her last name Greeley, despite her carrying documentation proving her citizenship. After about an hour, the agents released her. Following the incident, Greeley reported experiencing psychological distress and said she felt compelled to "lay low."
Timeline
Sources
- US citizen says ICE detained her, said her passport "isn't real"
Newsweek·Oct 14, 2025·archived copy
- US citizen arrested by ICE after offering to show passport sparks backlash
Newsweek·Dec 11, 2025·archived copy
- Seattle Times
- U.S. citizen detained by ICE in Puerto Rico: "You fit the description"
theblackwallsttimes.com·Mar 19, 2025·archived copy
- ICE tickets Chicago man with legal residency $130 for not having his papers on him: ‘It’s not fair…I’m a resident’
Chicago Tribune·Oct 13, 2025·archived copy
- ‘Operation Midway Blitz’: ICE fines green card holder $130
americanbazaaronline.com·Oct 16, 2025·archived copy
- ICE Tickets Man For Not Having His Papers On Him - Joe.My.God.
joemygod.com·Oct 13, 2025·archived copy
- ICE Gives $130 Ticket to U.S. Resident for Not Carrying His Papers
The Daily Beast·Oct 16, 2025·archived copy
- Latino US citizens racially profiled by federal immigration agents in Chicago: ‘I felt like a piece of trash’
Chicago Tribune·Nov 15, 2025·archived copy
spokesman.com·Nov 19, 2025·archived copy
reporterherald.com·Nov 21, 2025·archived copy
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