ICE agents posed as tire shop customers to detain young dad, 26, who has been in US as a child and has no criminal history, fiancée says

An immigration agent posed as a tire shop customer to detain a young father who has lived in America since childhood and has no criminal history, his fiancée says.

Christopher Ruiz de Jesus, 26, was taken into ICE custody on Saturday while he was working his shift at the TOS Wheels and Tires shop in Lynnwood, Washington.

Surveillance footage of his arrest, shared online by his fiancée, Jade Gaspar, shows a plain-clothed officer walking into the store.

The agent, pretending to be a customer, approached Ruiz de Jesus at the counter, the footage showed.

He alleged he was having car trouble and asked the worker to come help him outside, Gaspar told FOX 13.

An exterior camera shows the agent leading the young father through the parking lot, where he is surrounded by a group of masked officers in tactical gear.

The officer who seemingly initiated the sting put his mask back on as Ruiz de Jesus was taken into custody.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the arrest, telling the Daily Mail that Ruiz de Jesus came to the US from Mexico illegally at an unknown date and location. 

He remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings, a DHS spokesperson said. 

Gaspar alleges her partner of 12 years was blindsided by immigration authorities.

‘You can see innocence in him, like just doing his job. He didn’t know,’ she told the TV station.

But DHS has denied her accusations, saying that ‘allegations that law enforcement credentials were not displayed are FALSE.’

‘Being in detention is a choice. We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App,’ the spokesperson said.

The official noted how the US government is currently offering $3,000 and a free flight to illegal migrants who choose to self-deport. 

‘We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the US the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return,’ the official added.

Ruiz de Jesus has lived in America since he was five years old, Gaspar claimed. He has worked at the tire shop for six years as a manager and has no criminal history. 

He was also the main household provider for her and their soon-to-be two-year-old son, she said.

Gaspar revealed in a GoFundMe campaign that their lease is up at the end of October. She said she and the toddler could soon be without a place to live.

‘We are suffering traumatic change right now,’ she wrote.

‘Our lease is up at the end of the month, we’re looking for a place to live. He was the main income source the (sic) was head of the house.’ 

She is also looking to retain a lawyer to help bring Ruiz de Jesus home.

She added that the situation has been hard on their son, who doesn’t understand when his father will be home. 

‘He’s like walking around saying, “Dad, dad!”‘ Gaspar told FOX 13. ‘That’s so hard.’