TL;DR
- A 16-year-old boy alleges ICE choked him during his father’s arrest.
- He was mocked with homophobic slurs by the agents.
- The incident occurred during a Congressional hearing.
- Bazan wants to raise awareness to prevent this from happening again.
- ICE’s treatment of LGBTQ individuals has been increasingly brutal.
In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through the community, a 16-year-old boy, Arnaldo Bazan, has bravely come forward to share his harrowing experience with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). During a recent Congressional hearing, he recounted how ICE agents choked him and hurled homophobic slurs at him while they detained his father in Houston, Texas. This incident is not just a personal tragedy but a glaring example of the systemic issues plaguing immigration enforcement in America.
On March 24, Representative Robert Garcia and Senator Richard Blumenthal held a hearing focused on the impact of ICE on families and children, where Bazan’s testimony was highlighted. “They called you gay for crying, as well,” Garcia stated, to which Bazan responded with a simple yet powerful “yes.” This moment encapsulates the cruel reality that many LGBTQ individuals face, especially in the context of immigration enforcement.
On the fateful morning of October 23, 2025, Bazan was simply trying to get to school with his father, Arnulfo Bazan Carrillo, when their lives took a terrifying turn. As they were driving, multiple unmarked cars filled with armed men wearing masks surrounded them. When his father attempted to escape the situation, Bazan began recording the incident on his phone. But instead of help, they were met with aggression; ICE agents rammed their vehicle multiple times.
After his father stopped and entered a nearby store to seek assistance, the agents seized Bazan. He screamed for them to let go of his father, but instead, one of the agents put him in a chokehold. Despite screaming that he was a U.S. citizen and underage, the agents continued their assault. “The same officer who choked me then took my phone,” he recounted, highlighting the blatant disregard for his rights.
Once detained, Bazan and his father were subjected to a barrage of insults. “They mocked us,” he said, recalling how the agents called him “gay for crying,” and used other derogatory terms like “illegal idiot” and “border hopper.” It’s a chilling reminder of how ICE agents often dehumanize those they detain, celebrating their actions as if they were trophies rather than lives being shattered.
“I don’t even know when I will see my father again,” Bazan said, his voice filled with anguish. “I’m sharing my story so that this doesn’t happen to other people. This is not the America that I know.” His testimony is a call to action, urging society to confront the brutal realities faced by immigrant families and LGBTQ individuals.
As ICE raids and detainments have surged during the second Trump administration, the experiences of queer and trans immigrants have been particularly harrowing. In a chilling parallel, Alice Correia Barbosa, a trans Brazilian woman, faced similar brutality when ICE attempted to deport her, misgendering her throughout the process. And let’s not forget Andry Hernández Romero, a gay Venezuelan asylum seeker, who was sent to an El Salvadoran prison, facing the very violence he fled from.
Bazan’s testimony sheds light on the urgent need for reform within ICE and a reevaluation of how the agency interacts with vulnerable communities. The stories of those like Bazan and others must not be ignored; they are a stark reminder of the ongoing fight for justice and dignity for all, especially within the LGBTQ community.
As we reflect on these events, it’s crucial to amplify voices like Bazan’s and advocate for a system that prioritizes humanity over hostility. The fight for LGBTQ rights and the rights of immigrants is intertwined, and together, we must strive for a future where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.