LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department says Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents attempted to detain a man seen in a viral video at Harry Reid International Airport before walking away from the arrest.
The video, which has circulated widely on social media, appears to show an elderly Asian man being restrained and handcuffed by two individuals while bystanders question what is happening. At one point, a TSA employee is heard telling members of the public that the two individuals are law enforcement. The video does not show what led up to the encounter.
LVMPD provided the following statement:
“On July 13, 2026, at 6:03 p.m., LVMPD Airport officers were notified of a disturbance in Terminal 3 at Harry Reid International Airport. Upon arrival, officers observed an elderly male with a handcuff attached to one arm. During the investigation, our officers learned Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents had attempted to detain the individual but walked away from the arrest. At the time, LVMPD officers conducted a records check and found no outstanding warrants on the individual. They removed the handcuff from his wrist and notified ICE."
The ICE Los Angeles office claims the man was arrested upon his arrival at LAX on July 14.
The agency identified the man as 57-year-old Phu Nguyen, of Vietnam. According to ICE, Nguyen "overstayed his visa and, despite attempts by agitators to help him evade ICE officers at Las Vegas airport, was taken into custody as soon as he landed in Los Angeles."
🚨ICE Los Angeles arrested Phu Nguyen, 57, of Vietnam, at LAX, July 14. Nguyen overstayed his visa and, despite attempts by agitators to help him evade ICE officers at Las Vegas airport, was taken into custody as soon as he landed in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/UQ9lR0hEcK
— ICE Los Angeles (@EROLosAngeles) July 15, 2026
Channel 13 has reached out to ICE, the Transportation Security Administration and Harry Reid International Airport for additional information.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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