A 23-year-old American citizen has described her terror after being chased by masked federal immigration agents outside her home in Louisiana, stating she believes she was targeted solely because of the colour of her skin.
A Terrifying Chase Caught on Camera
The incident, captured on a home security camera on 3 December 2025 in Marrero, Louisiana, shows Jacelynn Guzman sprinting towards her front door while being followed by men in tactical gear and masks. "Leave me alone!" she can be heard shouting in the now-viral video. Guzman told local station WWL Louisiana that she initially feared she was about to be kidnapped when an unmarked SUV pulled up beside her as she walked home, followed by more vehicles.
"I have no idea why they targeted me," Guzman said. "That's honestly all I can think of... because I'm brown. It makes me scared for my family. It's devastating." Guzman, whose family identifies as Hispanic, emphasised she has no criminal record and is a US citizen, born and raised in the country.
DHS Response and Widespread Operation
In a statement issued on Friday, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said agents had approached Guzman because she matched the description of an individual subject to a deportation order. The DHS stated the person being sought had been previously charged with felony theft and convicted for illegal possession of stolen property, labelling them a "public safety threat".
The statement confirmed agents ultimately determined Guzman "was not the target" and departed without making an arrest. It added that agents identified themselves and stopped "upon reaching the property". However, Guzman's stepfather was seen on the same video ordering the agents off his property, exclaiming, "Hispanic people against Hispanic people, bro!"
Broader Crackdown and Community Fear
This encounter occurred amid a major immigration enforcement operation ordered by the Trump administration across the New Orleans area, including communities like Marrero. The operation's stated goal was to make 5,000 arrests in the coming weeks, focusing on individuals illegally residing in the US who were considered violent offenders.
By the time Guzman spoke to media, dozens of arrests had already been made, plunging local immigrant communities into a state of fear and anxiety. Guzman's case has highlighted concerns over the tactics used, with Guzman stating she believes agents are "racially profiling all people of colour".
Government data previously reported by the Guardian indicates that most people in US immigration detention have no criminal record, raising further questions about the scope and focus of such sweeping enforcement actions.
