Tan Mom Claims ICE Agents Questioned Her Citizenship Due to Tan

New Jersey’s Patricia Krentcil, widely known as “Tan Mom,” reported a startling interaction with federal immigration officials. Speaking on the “Light. Tan. Up.” podcast with actor Tom Arnold, Krentcil claimed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents questioned her about her American citizenship as she was leaving a restaurant with friends.

Krentcil, who gained fame due to her deep tan, said the agents approached her and asked about her status as a U.S. citizen. She was baffled by the encounter. “They asked me if I was an American citizen,” Krentcil recounted. “I said, ‘Yes,’ and it shocked me.”

According to Krentcil, the situation nearly escalated. “They were about to handcuff me and take me away,” she alleged, attributing their actions to her tan. “Once you get in those trucks, you don’t know where you’re going anymore,” she added, expressing her fear of detention. Krentcil also accused the authorities of racial and nationality discrimination.

Krentcil first became known nationally in 2012 after she was accused of bringing her five-year-old daughter into a tanning bed, resulting in the child arriving at school with sunburns. She was charged with second-degree child endangerment, but a grand jury eventually dropped the charges in 2013.

She has since relocated to Florida, continuing her life in the Sunshine State. ICE did not respond to requests for comment on Krentcil’s account.

Jasmine Baehr, a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital, reported on this story, focusing on topics like politics, military, legal issues, and culture.