Story perspectives

“Tan Mom” Says ICE Nearly Handcuffed Her After Questioning Citizenship

By Drooid · Oct 24, 2026, 3:34 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Patricia Krentcil, known as “Tan Mom,” said ICE agents stopped her leaving a restaurant, questioned citizenship, and nearly handcuffed her.
She said she stayed calm, held her own, and accused the agents of racial bias.
She criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for supporting “all this nonsense” about immigration enforcement.
ICE did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

History

Historical Context

The 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, signed by President Bill Clinton, dramatically expanded federal deportation powers. ICE, created within the Department of Homeland Security in 2003, received a $1.2 billion budget in 2020 to fund 20,000 agents. Patricia Krentcil’s 2024 encounter with ICE agents echoes the law’s legacy, as critics like Donald Trump and civil-rights groups decry perceived racial bias. The precedent set by the 1996 act fuels ongoing legal battles, prompting Congress to consider reforms that could curb discretionary arrests and restore due process.

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Story summary

Patricia Krentcil, known as “Tan Mom,” said ICE agents stopped her leaving a restaurant, questioned citizenship, and nearly handcuffed her.
She said she stayed calm, held her own, and accused the agents of racial bias.
She criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for supporting “all this nonsense” about immigration enforcement.
ICE did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

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