An Indian American doctor has shared her mother’s distressing encounter with masked ICE agents at a Texas mall, highlighting the broader implications of immigration enforcement on U.S. citizens.
An ordinary visit to a Texas outlet mall turned into a distressing experience for the mother of an Indian American doctor, who has been a U.S. citizen for 47 years. Dr. Nisha Patel took to social media to recount the incident, alleging that her mother was harassed by masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents due to her accent.
In her post on X, Patel described how her mother was approached by the agents while shopping. “My mom was stopped and harassed by masked ICE agents while shopping at an outlet mall in Texas,” she wrote. “Because she has an accent, they assumed she spoke Spanish and started talking to her in Spanish.”
When her mother informed the agents that she did not speak Spanish, they reportedly began questioning her about her origins, rapidly listing countries without allowing her a chance to respond. “My mom told them she’s been in this country longer than some of them have been alive,” Patel recounted. “She was only allowed to leave after showing a photo of her U.S. passport on her phone.”
Patel emphasized her mother’s status as a U.S. citizen, stating, “She has lived in this country for 47 years. If you think this is just about ‘sending criminals back,’ you are dead wrong.”
This incident underscores the chilling effects of immigration enforcement policies, particularly during a time when such actions have become more pronounced under the current administration. Since President Donald Trump returned to office, ICE’s reach has expanded into everyday life, affecting not only undocumented immigrants but also U.S. citizens and their families.
The heightened scrutiny and aggressive tactics employed by ICE have sparked widespread protests across the country. Demonstrations have erupted in cities such as Minneapolis, New York City, San Francisco, and Boston, particularly following the fatal shootings of two Minneapolis residents, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, by federal immigration agents. Protesters have called for the removal of federal agents from Democratic-run states, reflecting growing concerns about the impact of immigration enforcement on local communities.
Statistics reveal that Indian nationals are among the top detainees in ICE custody. In fiscal year 2024, 2,647 Indians were detained for immigration violations, including overstaying visas or entering the country illegally, making them the fourth largest nationality held by ICE. As of late 2025, an additional 3,258 Indians were reported to be in detention.
The incident involving Dr. Patel’s mother serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by immigrant communities and the need for a more humane approach to immigration enforcement. As the conversation around immigration policy continues, stories like this highlight the real-life implications of these policies on individuals and families.
According to The American Bazaar, the ramifications of such encounters extend beyond the immediate distress, affecting the fabric of communities across the nation.