Pat Krentcil, 'Tan Mom,' Claims ICE Agents Questioned Her Citizenship Due to Extreme Tan

Patricia Krentcil, widely known as "Tan Mom," claims that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents approached her and questioned her citizenship due to her exceptionally dark tan. The incident allegedly occurred as Krentcil was leaving a restaurant with friends.

During an appearance on the "Light. Tan. Up." podcast, Krentcil recounted the encounter, stating that ICE agents stopped her and asked if she was an American citizen. She described the situation as "mind-blowing" and expressed fear that she was on the verge of being handcuffed and taken away.

Krentcil, who gained national attention for her deep tan over a decade ago, alleged that the agents' actions were motivated by her appearance. "Because I was so tan, they were about to handcuff me ... and take me away. God knows where," she said.

She further accused the immigration authorities of discriminatory practices, suggesting bias based on "color and nationalities."

Krentcil first rose to public notoriety in 2012 when she was charged with second-degree child endangerment for allegedly bringing her then-5-year-old daughter into a tanning bed. The charges were dropped after an Essex County grand jury declined to indict her in February 2013. Krentcil has since relocated from New Jersey to Florida.

ICE did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the alleged incident. The account has not been independently verified.