Virginia Mother Detained by ICE Agents After Forgetting Her Social Security Number
HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA — A routine traffic stop turned into a distressing confrontation when federal immigration agents detained a mother who was driving her teenage daughter to school after she failed to recall her Social Security number on demand.
According to reports, the woman had presented her work permit, Social Security card, driver’s license, and car registration when approached by the agents. However, she was still taken into custody after being unable to immediately recite her Social Security number.
Traffic Stop Captured on Video
The encounter, captured on video by the woman’s daughter, shows the tense moments leading up to the arrest. The teen said that the agents became visibly agitated when her mother hesitated to recall the number — claiming one of the officers then “lunged at her” before detaining her.
The woman was later booked into a regional jail but was not charged with any immediate criminal offenses. Family members say she remains in custody pending verification of her documents.
Daughter Pleads for Her Mother’s Release
In the emotional footage, the woman’s daughter can be heard pleading with officers and later telling reporters that she wants the video widely shared because she “wants [her] mother home.”
The teen said her mother had been nervous and confused during the stop but had complied with every request until officers became aggressive.
“She showed them everything they asked for,” the daughter said. “But when she couldn’t remember the number right away, they just grabbed her. It didn’t feel right.”
Community and Legal Concerns
The case has triggered widespread concern among immigrant rights advocates and civil liberties organizations, who argue that detaining someone for failing to recite an identification number sets a dangerous precedent.
Legal experts note that there is no federal law requiring individuals to verbally recall their Social Security number if documentation is already provided. Advocates are calling for a full review of the agents’ conduct and the legality of the arrest.
“This raises serious questions about overreach and due process,” said one immigration attorney following the incident. “If someone’s paperwork is valid, forgetting a number under stress should never lead to detention.”
Calls for Accountability
As the video gains traction online, pressure is mounting on federal authorities to release the woman and investigate the officers involved. The family has not disclosed the woman’s identity publicly out of fear of retaliation.
Civil rights groups are also urging lawmakers to address what they describe as a pattern of excessive enforcement by immigration officers during routine traffic encounters.
What are your thoughts on this controversial arrest? Should ICE agents face stricter oversight for incidents like this? Share your views and join the discussion at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
