Federal immigration agents detained a Utah man after he was arrested in connection with a suspected drug sale, only to find that the supposed merchandise was in fact dried pinto beans, court documents reveal.Lorenzo Chavez Rascon was arrested by Utah state authorities on February 23, 2026, on suspicion of selling narcotics, according to a court filing reviewed by Newsweek. While held at the Salt Lake County Jail, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a detainer to take him into federal custody. Subsequent investigation revealed that the alleged narcotics were actually dried pinto beans, and state prosecutors dismissed the charges, per the filings.The court filing states: "On February 23, 2026, Chavez was arrested by Utah state authorities in connection with asuspected drug sale. However, the narcotics involved in the suspected sale were later determined to be dried pinto beans."A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security told Newsweek: "ICE did NOT make this criminal arrest. The Salt Lake County Sheriff's office made this arrest and we would refer you to them for comment."...Rascon entered the United States as a minor in 2017 and initially sought asylum at the border with his family, according to the filingIn February 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services found his petition for a U-visa, a temporary visa for certain undocumented individuals who cooperate with law enforcement, to be bona fide, per the documents.The Trump administration has maintained that its aggressive deportation policy targets the "worst of the worst," aiming to prioritize arrests and removals of dangerous individuals. However, Newsweek has revealed several cases of nonviolent immigrants who have been caught up in the ICE raids, raising concerns about the agency’s enforcement strategy and the potential for constitutional and due process issues.Rascon filed a habeas corpus petition on February 25, challenging the legality of his detention by ICE. But court documents indicate that ICE’s detention of Rascon continued despite the lack of criminal charges.On March 11, U.S. District Judge Robert J. Shelby, who was appointed by President Barack Obama, issued a temporary restraining order preventing ICE from deporting Rascon from the United States while the case is pending.The order also requires authorities to notify Rascon’s attorneys of his location and provide him meaningful communication with counsel within 24 hours.Rascon’s U-visa petition places him in deferred action status, allowing him to remain in the U.S. while awaiting the lengthy processing of U-visa applications, which can take several years due to a national backlog, according to court documents.Chavez alleges that his detention by federal authorities violates his Fifth Amendment due process rights, per the court filings."Here, it appears that Chavez's deferred action status makes removal unforeseeable, and therefore unreasonable," the judge wrote."Chavez appears to have deferred action status from his February 2026 USCIS determination finding he presented a bona fide U-visa petition. Because there is currently a severe backlog of U-visa petitions, it is likely that he will remain in deferred action for many years to come. As such, his immigration proceedings and removal would certainly not be considered foreseeable."The case is ongoing, with the government required to explain why Rascon should not be released, and further proceedings expected to resolve the habeas petition.Updated 3/16/26, 4:07 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from DHS.In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. At Newsweek, ours is different: The Courageous Center—it's not "both sides," it's sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy: Ad-free browsing, exclusive content and editor conversations. Help keep the center courageous. Join today.