ICE has long been a source of controversy in the US and the organisation faced more heat earlier this week when facing allegations from celebrity actor Natasha Lyonne.
The 47-year-old, who is perhaps best known for her role in the American Pie film series, despite being 'morally against it', ran into some issues while taking a flight, hit out at media reports that she'd been escorted off her flight following the Euphoria season three premiere.
Lyonne has been open about her battles with addiction in the past, having relapsed in January of this year following ten years of sobriety and releasing a statement about how ‘recovery is a lifelong process’, so she was naturally upset when Page Six had claimed that she was escorted off after causing issues on the flight and asking where she was.
The celebrity gossip publication also included the account of an eyewitness, who claimed that Lyonne failed to respond to flight attendants who had asked her to close her laptop and put her seatbelt on, which eventually led to her being escorted off after an alleged hour delay.
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The actress took to social media to hit back, writing: "My heart is with all the unpaid TSA agents at our airports.
“Sure was looking forward to speaking honestly with Drew Barrymore yesterday but guess wasn’t in the cards. Who owns page six/New York Post now again?
On Friday, she shared a little more about her situation, writing. “Boarded seamlessly with just a backpack and sneakers, eager for a nap. Plan was to be bushy tailed & beauty rested, as I was meant to head straight to glam for a slot with our beloved @DrewBarrymore, upon landing.
“Was looking forward to seeing Drew & an in depth convo, but I guess ICE had other plans & I was detained instead,” she continued. “Sign of the times, I guess. Thanks for all the love and support. Never had a problem with @Delta or @TSA before. Heart is with our unpaid @TSA workers. Apologies to any travellers who were delayed.”
However, the Department of Homeland Security, who runs Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has since claimed that none of their agents detained Lyonne.
In a statement to Variety, it said: “Neither ICE nor TSA escorted or detained Natasha Lyonne.”
ICE has previously come under fire for detaining a whole host of people, including several children under the age of five, as well as a British tourist who was locked up for six weeks.
In this case however it's not clear exactly what might have happened, as it looks likely to remain very much a he said, she said situation.
Topics: Celebrity News, Drew Barrymore, Travel
James Moorhouse