'I Don't Care': ICE Agents Slammed After Smashing Car Window to Detain US Citizen Teen

A 17‑year‑old US citizen was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Oregon after agents smashed the window of his car during a lunch break from school. The incident, captured on video and widely shared online, has provoked outrage in the community and prompted hundreds to protest against what many described as heavy‑handed tactics.

Allegations of Excessive Force

Christian Jimenez, a senior at McMinnville High School, was driving his father's car around midday when ICE officers stopped him. Despite repeatedly asserting his citizenship, footage shows an officer breaking the driver's side window and ordering him out of the vehicle.

In the video, Jimenez can be heard insisting he is American, while an officer responds dismissively: 'Get out of the car' and 'I don't care.'

Jimenez was taken to an ICE facility in South Portland and held for several hours before being released later that evening. His brother, Cesar Jimenez, who shared the video, said authorities were now attempting to charge the teenager with interference or obstruction of investigation.

Claims of Obstruction and Evasion

ICE later issued a statement explaining that Border Patrol had requested urgent assistance. Officers reported that a Ford F‑150 fled the area, while another vehicle, a Tahoe, was stopped and its occupants arrested.

Authorities identified one occupant as Isaias Eduardo Soto Elias, a 20‑year‑old US citizen, and the other as 17‑year‑old Jimenez. Both were accused of impeding federal law enforcement officers and transported to the Portland office for further investigation.

The agency argued that the incident reflected a growing trend of individuals using vehicles to obstruct enforcement operations. ICE claimed assaults against officers had risen by 1000 per cent and warned that anyone who impedes or assaults federal officers would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Community Response

The arrest sparked immediate backlash. KGW‑TV reported that hundreds of residents gathered in McMinnville to protest against ICE's actions, demanding accountability and questioning why a US citizen was treated in such a manner.

McMinnville High School Superintendent Kourtney Ferrua confirmed in a message to families that 'a student was detained after leaving campus for lunch.' She stressed that the student, a US citizen, was later reunited with his family.

Ferrua added that the incident had an emotional impact on students and emphasised the district's commitment to maintaining a safe and predictable environment.

Wider Concerns

The case has reignited debate over ICE's enforcement practices, particularly when US citizens are involved. Critics argue that the aggressive tactics undermine trust in law enforcement and risk traumatising communities. They contend that the 'shoot first, ask questions later' approach often leads to the racial profiling of Latino citizens, eroding the presumption of innocence.

Conversely, supporters of ICE insist the agency faces increasing threats and must act decisively to protect officers and enforce federal law. They argue that non-compliance during a federal stop, regardless of citizenship status, poses a safety risk to agents operating in volatile environments.

For Jimenez and his family, the incident has become a flashpoint in the broader conversation about immigration enforcement, civil rights, and accountability. For McMinnville, it has left a lasting impression on students and residents who witnessed the arrest of a teenager during what should have been an ordinary school day.