Houston Man Stopped by ICE Agents on Way to Work

David Flores, a U.S. citizen, says ICE agents boxed in his truck and questioned him without cause.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 10:47am

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David Flores, a third-generation U.S. citizen and IT technician in Houston, says he was stopped by immigration agents on his morning commute. Flores says the agents blocked his truck, questioned him, and asked for his Social Security number, despite him showing his U.S. passport to prove his citizenship. The encounter ended after Flores started recording the interaction on his phone.

Why it matters

This incident highlights concerns about potential overreach by immigration enforcement agents, even when encountering U.S. citizens. It raises questions about the rights of citizens during interior enforcement stops and the coordination between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies.

The details

According to Flores, a black SUV began following his pickup truck near Beltway 8 in north Harris County. Three more unmarked vehicles then pulled up, surrounding his truck. Flores estimated there were about eight agents involved. The agents first spoke to him in Spanish, and he showed his U.S. passport to prove his citizenship. One of the agents then asked for his Social Security number, which Flores declined to provide. Flores says the encounter ended after he started recording the interaction on his phone.

  • The incident occurred on January 1, 2026, during Flores' morning commute.

The players

David Flores

A third-generation U.S. citizen and IT technician in Houston who was stopped by ICE agents while on his way to work.

Ruby Powers

An immigration attorney who stated that U.S. citizens have the right to remain silent and are generally not required to carry proof of citizenship unless they are at or very near an international border.

Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency that has publicly stated that deporting U.S. citizens is not part of ICE's mission, though advocacy organizations and investigative reports have tracked cases where citizens were questioned or detained.

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What they’re saying

“I looked at them and I was like, 'ICE?'”

— David Flores (Click2Houston)

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

Flores says he plans to speak with an attorney about the incident. The Department of Homeland Security has been asked to comment on the situation.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing concerns about the potential for overreach by immigration enforcement agents, even when encountering U.S. citizens. It underscores the importance of knowing one's rights and the need for clear guidelines and accountability measures to prevent unlawful detentions of citizens.