“Tan Mom” alleges ICE stop was driven by her deep tan

Patricia Krentcil, known in the media as “Tan Mom,” told listeners of her Light Tan Up podcast that ICE agents stopped her as she left a restaurant with friends, questioned her citizenship, and nearly placed her in handcuffs. Krentcil said the agents’ actions were prompted by her “deeply bronzed complexion.”

Who Is 'Tan Mom'? Everything to Know About Patricia Krentcil as She Claims She Was Nearly Arrested by ICE Over Her Skin Color ‘Tan Mom’ claims ICE agents nearly dragged her away after making one shocking assumption Republican Mum Accuses ICE of Being 'Very Racist' After Claiming Agents Nearly Detained Her Over Her Deep Tan LADbibleNew York PostTMZ

Krentcil first entered national headlines in 2012 when New Jersey authorities charged her with second-degree child endangerment after her five-year-old daughter arrived at school with severe sunburns. An Essex County grand jury declined to indict her in February 2013, and the charges were dismissed. The episode contributed to her viral nickname “Tan Mom,” and she has since pursued podcasting, product lines, and a 2024 Republican Senate campaign in Florida.

Republican Mum Accuses ICE of Being 'Very Racist' After Claiming Agents Nearly Detained Her Over Her Deep Tan

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has not provided comment on Krentcil’s recent allegation. ICE has previously stated that it does not engage in unconstitutional racial profiling during enforcement operations. County Prosecutor Gina Iosim explained the grand-jury decision: “We presented all the available evidence in the case to the grand jury, both the state’s evidence and the defense’s evidence. The grand jurors voted not to indict Mrs. Krentcil. We respect their decision.”

‘Tan Mom’ claims ICE agents nearly dragged her away after making one shocking assumption

Krentcil’s account was not independently verified; none of the outlets reported a specific time, location, or agency identification for the alleged stop. ICE declined to comment when approached for verification. No official record of an arrest or detention related to the incident has been released.

Who Is 'Tan Mom'? Everything to Know About Patricia Krentcil as She Claims She Was Nearly Arrested by ICE Over Her Skin Color

• “They asked me, 'Am I an American citizen?' and I'm, like, 'Yes', you know. It blew my mind,” — Patricia Krentcil

'Tan Mom' Patricia Krentcil Claims She Was Nearly Arrested by ICE Because of Her Skin Color: 'I Was Scared'

• “As we're walking out, the ICE people stopped me and they asked me, 'Am I an American citizen?'” — Patricia Krentcil

Republican Mum Accuses ICE of Being 'Very Racist' After Claiming Agents Nearly Detained Her Over Her Deep Tan

• “Because I was so tanned, they were about to handcuff me and take me away [to] God knows where because once you get in those trucks, you don't know where you're going anymore.” — Patricia Krentcil

LADbible

• “Back to the ICE issue, I was at a restaurant with my girlfriends, and I walked out with my friends, as we were done eating, and the ICE people stopped me,” — Patricia Krentcil

‘Tan Mom’ claims ICE agents nearly dragged her away after making one shocking assumption