A Honduran family has publicly accused the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of employing excessive force during the apprehension of Juan Francisco Méndez, a migrant with a pending asylum application, according to his attorney. The incident occurred on Monday in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and was captured on video by Méndez's wife, Marilú Domingo Ortiz, as reported by Univisión.
The dramatic footage shows ICE officers smashing the family car's window with a hammer before forcibly removing Méndez and his wife from the vehicle. The family claims that Méndez was on his way to a medical appointment when ICE agents, without any prior warning, intercepted them.
Legal Representation Voices Outrage Over Arrest
Ondine Gálvez-Sniffin, the family's lawyer, described arriving at the scene to find Méndez's wife sobbing and visibly shaken. "Méndez was screaming 'help me!' as he was handcuffed and taken away. I was shocked to see shattered glass all over the back seat," she recounted.
Gálvez-Sniffin verified that Méndez, who has resided in the U.S. for four years working in the seafood industry, has no criminal record and completed his fingerprinting process for asylum in December. She stated that ICE agents refused to examine documentation evidencing his ongoing immigration status. "There was absolutely no justification for the way they treated him and his wife," she emphasized, expressing her primary concern as getting him back to his family.
Community Leaders Demand Answers
It is believed that Méndez is currently detained at a facility in Dover, New Hampshire. ICE has not commented on the incident, which has sparked concerns among local leaders. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell took to social media, stating that the situation "raises questions that demand clear answers," notably why local police were not notified and whether ICE's methods align with their commitment to target individuals with criminal backgrounds only.
Méndez's family is under asylum protection; his wife and nine-year-old son are shielded from deportation due to the risk of persecution if they return to Honduras.
Controversial ICE Arrests Stir Debate
This incident is part of a series of contentious ICE arrests in New England. Last month, immigration officer Brian Sullivan was found guilty of contempt by a Boston judge for arresting Wilson Martell-Lebron outside a courthouse. Suffolk County's district attorney called the action “troubling and extraordinarily reckless.”
Similarly, Turkish student Rumeysa Ozturk from Tufts University reported being detained after immigration officials surrounded her while she walked in a Boston suburb. Video footage shows her being handcuffed and having her phone taken away while she screams. Her legal team is also demanding her immediate release.
Questions Surrounding ICE's Detention Practices
What charges were brought against Juan Francisco Méndez?
Juan Francisco Méndez was not reported to have been charged with any specific offenses at the time of his arrest. The main concern was the use of excessive force during his detention, despite his ongoing asylum process and lack of a criminal record.
How has the local community responded to this incident?
Local leaders, including the Mayor of New Bedford, have expressed concern over ICE's methods, questioning their alignment with policies to only target individuals with criminal records. The incident has prompted calls for transparency and accountability from ICE.
Are there any legal protections for Méndez's family?
Yes, Méndez's wife and son are under asylum protection, which safeguards them from deportation due to potential persecution risks if they return to Honduras.