ICE Agents Detain Three Men in Kingsport Motel Parking Lot

Sullivan County Sheriff's Office assisted federal immigration authorities in the operation.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Multiple ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents were seen detaining three men from a semi-trailer parked at the New Travel Inn in Kingsport, Tennessee on Thursday afternoon. Witnesses reported seeing at least eight ICE agents arrive in several unmarked vehicles and remove the men, with some agents giving instructions in Spanish. A Sullivan County Sheriff's Office vehicle was also present at the scene, though the sheriff's office declined to confirm or deny prior knowledge of the ICE operation.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and controversies surrounding immigration enforcement actions by federal agencies like ICE, especially in local communities. The involvement of the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office also raises questions about the level of coordination and cooperation between local and federal law enforcement on immigration matters.

The details

According to eyewitness Jenna Wingo, the ICE agents arrived at the New Travel Inn motel around 3:30 pm on Thursday and removed three men from a semi-trailer parked on the property. Wingo said the agents were wearing tactical vests, appeared armed, and at one point instructed bystanders to stay 25 feet back from the operation. A Sullivan County Sheriff's Office vehicle was also present, though the sheriff's office would only confirm that they assist federal agencies upon request and could neither confirm nor deny prior knowledge of the ICE action.

  • The ICE agents were first spotted in the parking lot of the Kingsport Times News around 3:30 pm on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
  • The agents then moved to the New Travel Inn motel next door and conducted the detentions around 4 pm the same day.

The players

Jenna Wingo

An eyewitness who observed the ICE agents' actions at the New Travel Inn motel.

Capt. Andy Seabolt

The public information officer for the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office, who confirmed that the sheriff's office will assist federal agencies upon request but declined to comment on prior knowledge of the ICE operation.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that conducted the detentions of the three men at the Kingsport motel.

Sullivan County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency that assisted ICE in the operation, according to the eyewitness account.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“All together I counted at least five vehicles that appeared to be ICE, and the cars were unmarked.”

— Jenna Wingo, Eyewitness (johnsoncitypress.com)

“There were at least three that I saw pulled from that truck.”

— Jenna Wingo, Eyewitness (johnsoncitypress.com)

“We do have an agreement. If requested, we do assist.”

— Capt. Andy Seabolt, Public Information Officer, Sullivan County Sheriff's Office (johnsoncitypress.com)

What’s next

It is unclear if the three detained men will face any further legal proceedings or deportation proceedings as a result of the ICE operation. The Sullivan County Sheriff's Office has not provided any additional details about their level of involvement or prior knowledge of the ICE agents' actions.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and controversies surrounding immigration enforcement actions by federal agencies like ICE, especially in local communities. The involvement of the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office also raises questions about the level of coordination and cooperation between local and federal law enforcement on immigration matters.