Columbia Heights Dad Detained by ICE in Alleged Fake Breakdown Sting

Family and neighbors say ICE agents staged a car breakdown to draw out and detain the father, leaving his six children at home.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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A Columbia Heights father, Jesus Flores, was allegedly lured out of his home by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who staged a fake car breakdown on his street. Neighbors' security footage shows people peering under a car's hood before other vehicles block the street, and agents then quickly surround Flores' driveway and detain him. Flores' family says he was moved to a Texas facility within 48 hours, disrupting the lives of his six children, including two with autism. The community is rallying to support Flores' family as they cope with his sudden detention.

Why it matters

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about aggressive immigration enforcement tactics used by ICE, even as the agency has announced a drawdown of certain operations. The alleged sting operation has deeply impacted a local family and raised questions about the use of deceptive methods to detain undocumented immigrants in suburban neighborhoods.

The details

According to the family and security footage, two people were peering under the hood of a car on Flores' street when other vehicles suddenly blocked the road, and multiple ICE agents quickly surrounded Flores' driveway and detained him. Flores' family believes the apparent car trouble was staged to lure him outside so agents could apprehend him. Within 48 hours, Flores was transferred to a facility in El Paso, Texas, leaving his six children, including two with autism, at home.

  • On February 16, 2026, Flores was allegedly detained by ICE agents on his street in Columbia Heights.
  • Within 48 hours of his arrest, Flores was transferred to a facility in El Paso, Texas.

The players

Jesus Flores

A father of six children, including two with autism, who was allegedly detained by ICE agents in a staged car breakdown incident in Columbia Heights.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that allegedly used deceptive tactics to detain Flores, disrupting his family and the local community.

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What’s next

Flores' family and local advocacy groups are working to support his wife and children, and are exploring legal options to challenge his detention and potential deportation.

The takeaway

This case exemplifies the disruptive impact that aggressive ICE tactics can have on immigrant families and communities, even as the agency claims to be scaling back certain enforcement efforts. It underscores the need for greater oversight and accountability around immigration enforcement practices.