A tense scene erupted inside the Columbia Heights Metro station when Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, along with other federal officers, detained a man over alleged fare evasion, as seen in videos posted to The Washington Post and YouTube platform Zeteo. The presence of federal agents at a routine transit stop drew immediate backlash from residents, who demanded answers and ultimately cheered as officers retreated. 

The video footage from the station shows officers wearing vests labeled “HSI,” “police,” and “special agent” moving repeatedly up and down escalators before surrounding a man. When asked why the individual was being detained, an officer is seen saying, “He failed to pay his fare.”

That explanation raised questions from bystanders. “Why is the FBI here for fare evasion? Why is Homeland Security here for fare evasion?” one resident said. Officers responded that federal agents were not specifically there for fare evasion but rather to, “support everything we do.” 

As word spread, dozens of D.C. residents gathered in the station, chanting “Our street!” and confronting the officers. Witnesses reported seeing several unmarked vehicles—including vans and pickup trucks—used by agents. Cheers broke out when the federal officers appeared to withdraw from the area, with residents interpreting the departure as a victory for community pushback.

HSI is a division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) responsible for investigating transnational crime, including immigration-related offenses. Its involvement in a fare evasion case—an issue typically handled by Metro Transit Police—sparked concern that federal agencies are expanding their reach into local law enforcement. 

The confrontation comes amid heightened tension between D.C. residents and federal authorities. Washington has long declared itself a sanctuary city, limiting cooperation with ICE. Local advocates argue that immigration and homeland security enforcement disproportionately impacts communities of color, and incidents like this one erode trust in public safety systems.

According to Zeteo, neither HSI nor Metro Transit Police has publicly clarified the circumstances of the Columbia Heights detention.