Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), on Friday condemned a recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) incident at a Las Vegas airport, calling it part of a pattern of abusive enforcement tactics targeting Asian communities. Meng criticized the agency after a video surfaced showing officers tackling an elderly Asian man at Harry Reid International Airport.
In a statement, Meng noted that the agents were in plainclothes and lacked visible identification or body cameras during the incident, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability.
“Two ICE agents, dressed in plain clothes and wearing no visible identification, tackled an elderly Asian man to the ground at an airport,” Meng said. “They were not wearing body cameras… despite [the agency] receiving $20 million to purchase the equipment.”
Meng linked the airport incident to broader enforcement actions, alleging a pattern of aggressive tactics affecting Asian Americans. She cited recent cases in New Jersey and Minnesota in which ICE agents detained individuals under controversial circumstances.
“How can anyone trust that these masked individuals, who wear no identifiable uniforms or badges and operate with impunity, are legitimate law enforcement officers?” she said.
Meng also criticized congressional Republicans, urging them to support stronger oversight of ICE.
“Republicans in Congress must stop enabling these abuses and work with CAPAC to restore transparency, accountability, and oversight to this lawless agency,” she said.
Data cited by CAPAC indicates a sharp rise in immigration enforcement actions involving Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Arrests and detentions of Asian immigrants have increased sixfold, while deportations have risen ninefold under the current administration, according to the advocacy group Stop AAPI Hate. Among Pacific Islanders, arrests have increased by 22%, detentions by 30%, and deportations by 29%.
Additionally, more than 50 people have died in ICE custody in recent years, including at least 10 individuals of Asian descent, according to health policy research.
The statement comes as Congress continues to debate immigration enforcement funding. Lawmakers approved an additional $70 billion for ICE and Customs and Border Protection in June, adding to the $170 billion previously allocated to the Department of Homeland Security.
CAPAC members opposed the additional funding and have called for increased oversight of federal immigration agencies.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
