Phu Nguyen, a 57-year-old man believed to be an Australian citizen originally from Vietnam, was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after an initial arrest attempt at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on Monday, July 14th, 2026, was interrupted by bystanders.

Film-maker Chris Motley posted footage showing Nguyen being partially handcuffed by plainclothes agents while shouting and held to the ground by two masked individuals. An airport security officer intervened, and the agents eventually left, leaving handcuffs dangling from one of Nguyen’s wrists. Motley noted on Instagram that police arrived shortly after, but Nguyen remained partially handcuffed for over an hour. He was medically checked before boarding his flight and was able to catch it.

ICE Los Angeles later confirmed that Nguyen had overstayed his visa and was taken into custody on Tuesday, July 15th, 2026, after landing in Los Angeles. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stated it was making urgent inquiries following reports of an Australian citizen’s detention in the US.

The ABC reported that the US Department of Homeland Security described Nguyen as an “illegal alien and citizen of Australia … born in Vietnam.”

Sources