Arabic version: عملاء مكتب الهجرة والجمارك يكبلون أستراليًا في مطار لاس فيغاس
Plain-clothes Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were filmed pushing to the ground and handcuffing 57-year-old Australian Phu Nguyen at Terminal 3 of Harry Reid International Airport, footage circulated on social media shows.
According to ABC News, the footage shows Mr Nguyen yelling “let me go” as officers restrained him, and the agents abandoned the arrest attempt once it drew the attention of onlookers.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed ICE attempted to arrest Nguyen on July 13 at the Las Vegas airport and said “a crowd of anti-ICE agitators surrounded officers.” Its statement described Nguyen as “an illegal alien who is an illegal alien and citizen of Australia and was born in Vietnam.” The DHS said Nguyen was arrested the following day before boarding a flight departing Los Angeles International Airport.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told the ABC it is making urgent enquiries after reports of an Australian citizen detained in the United States and said “the department stands ready to provide consular assistance to any Australian citizen, should it be requested.” The footage has been widely circulated online and shows distressed onlookers; at one point Nguyen is heard shouting “I don’t know what they’re doing” before a woman chased the officers away in the video.
DHS said Nguyen entered the United States legally on a visa in May 2013 with permission to remain until May 2015 and that he “refused to depart in violation of our nation’s laws.” The agency said he “will receive full due process and remain in ICE custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings.” Mr Nguyen is being detained at the Adelanto ICE Processing Centre in California.
This story matters because it involves an Australian citizen reported detained by US immigration authorities, has prompted urgent consular enquiries by DFAT, and has been widely shared on social media, all facts stated by official sources in the ABC report. What happens next: He will remain in ICE custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings.
Related sections: Australia/استراليا | South Australia | General | World/العالم
