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16-year-old U.S. citizen beaten and choked by ICE agents during father's detention in Houston

Mar 24, 2026 · Houston, TX, Mexico

16-year-old U.S. citizen beaten and choked by ICE agents during father's detention in Houston

Arnoldo Bazan, a 16-year-old U.S. citizen and sophomore at Houston Alief Hastings High School, was detained and assaulted by masked federal immigration agents on October 23, 2025, when they stopped his father, Arnulfo Bazan Carillo, during a drive to school near Gessner Road and Beechnut Street in Houston. According to Arnoldo's account, agents beat him, applied a choke hold around his neck, and subjected him to racial slurs despite his statements that he was a minor and U.S. citizen. Bystanders recorded video showing officers restraining a young man with an arm around his neck. Arnoldo was held for several hours before ICE verified his U.S. citizenship and released him. His father, Arnulfo, who was in the country without authorization, was arrested and subsequently deported to Mexico. ICE disputed the assault allegations, claiming Arnoldo elbowed a federal agent during the encounter and that Arnulfo rammed a federal vehicle and fled; ICE noted Arnulfo had prior unauthorized entries and a misdemeanor DWI conviction. Arnoldo has spoken publicly, including on Capitol Hill, about the incident.

Timeline

Oct 23, 2025ICE agents stopped vehicle carrying Arnoldo Bazan (16-year-old U.S. citizen) and his father Arnulfo during drive to school; agents allegedly beat and choked Arnoldo and tackled his father near Gessner Road and Beechnut Street in Houston
Oct 23, 2025Arnoldo released after ICE verified his U.S. citizenship; Arnulfo arrested
Oct 23, 2025Arnulfo Bazan deported to Mexico; Arnoldo Bazan subsequently spoke publicly about incident including on Capitol Hill

Sources

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