Archive · 26 Jan 2026
Indian-origin doctor accuses ICE of harassing her mother
A doctor named Nisha Patel said that her mother, who is a US citizen, was stopped and questioned by ICE agents in Texas.
The agents thought her mother was from another country because of her accent.
They spoke to her in Spanish, but she doesn't speak Spanish.
Her mother showed them a picture of her US passport on her phone to prove she is a citizen.
This happened while ICE has been doing more checks on people who might not have the right papers to be in the US.
Some people are upset about these actions, and there have been protests.
The United Nations also said that the US is being too harsh with its immigration rules.
Nisha Patel, an Indian-origin doctor, claimed her US citizen mother was harassed by ICE agents in Texas due to her accent.
ICE agents assumed her mother spoke Spanish and demanded to know her origin, despite her explaining she is a US citizen.
Her mother was only allowed to leave after showing a photo of her US passport on her phone.
The incident occurred amid increased ICE actions against undocumented immigrants, leading to protests and UN concerns.
In 2024, 2,647 Indians were detained by ICE for immigration violations, making them the fourth-largest nationality in custody.
- Who
- Nisha Patel, an Indian-origin doctor, and her mother, a US citizen
- What
- ICE agents allegedly harassed her mother due to her accent
- When
- The incident occurred recently, with additional context from 2024 and 2025
- Where
- Outlet mall in Texas
- Why
- ICE agents assumed her mother was undocumented due to her accent
- Doctor's Name
- Nisha Patel
- Location of Incident
- Outlet mall in Texas
- Mother's Residency
- 47 years in the US
- Mother's Citizenship
- US citizen
- ICE's Assumption
- Assumed mother spoke Spanish due to accent
- Recent ICE Actions
- Increased crackdown on undocumented immigrants
- UN's Concern
- Routine abuse and denigration of migrants
- Indian Detentions in 2024
- 2,647 Indians detained for immigration violations