‘Tan Mom’ Claims ICE Agents Nearly Handcuffed Her Because of Her Deep Tan Patricia Krentcil, famously known as “Tan Mom,” says she was left terrified after allegedly being stopped by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while leaving a restaurant with friends. According to Krentcil, officers questioned whether she was an American citizen because of her extremely bronzed complexion.

Speaking on her podcast, Light. Tan. Up. with Tan Mom & Adam Barta, Krentcil claimed the encounter nearly ended with her being handcuffed and taken away. She said she confirmed she was a US citizen and managed to stand her ground, but described the experience as frightening. She also criticized President Donald Trump, whom she believes supports the actions she was describing.

Krentcil previously made headlines in 2012, when she was arrested and charged with child endangerment following allegations that she allowed her six-year-old daughter to use a tanning bed. She denied the accusations, and a grand jury ultimately did not indict her. Krentcil later said her daughter had suffered sunburn outdoors, not from using a tanning bed.

Her unusual appearance and the phrase “I like to tan” helped make her a viral sensation. Krentcil has admitted that she once tanned as often as seven days a week, although she hopes her children will not follow the same path. ICE has reportedly been contacted for comment, and the agency’s response to her latest allegations was not included in the report.