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An Australian man was left partially handcuffed on the ground by two Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents after they attempted to arrest him in a Las Vegas airport.
A video of the incident posted on social media showed the man, in a light blue shirt, screaming “I don’t know what they’re doing” while one of the officers pinned his arm behind his back. One of his shoes had fallen off and his suitcase had been left to the side.
The two plainclothes ICE agents – a man and a woman – were both wearing hooded sweatshirts, with the woman also sporting a mask.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it is making “urgent enquiries” following reports of the arrest.
The man who filmed the altercation can be heard asking “what’s going on?” while approaching the two agents.
When the male officer realises he’s being recorded, he swipes at the camera. An airport employee then steps between the two and holds his arms out wide, declaring “they’re law enforcement”.
Immediately after, the two officers, who have both put their hoods over their heads, walked off and left the distressed man behind, still partially handcuffed.
A woman in the video can be seen running after the agents and yelling at them.
The incident is reported to have happened on Monday night in Terminal 3 at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
NBC News reported that the Department of Homeland Security identified the man as 57-year-old Phu Nguyen, an Australian citizen who overstayed his visa.
The two agents left without arresting Nguyen “to de-escalate the situation and for officer safety” after a crowd formed, a DHS spokesperson said in a statement to NBC News.
ICE arrested him at the Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security told CNN. Nguyen is being held at the Adelanto ICE Processing Centre in California.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is making urgent enquiries following reports of an Australian citizen detained in the United States,” a DFAT spokesperson said in a statement.
“The Department stands ready to provide consular assistance to any Australian citizen, should it be requested.”
Ellie Busby is a Parramatta reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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