A Massachusetts family is seeking explanations from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after agents allegedly broke a car window and detained a man who was in the process of applying for asylum. The incident occurred in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where Juan Francisco Mendez was reportedly stopped by ICE agents while on his way to a dentist appointment. The family, represented by lawyer Ondine Galvez-Sniffin, contends that the agents were not searching for Mendez specifically, as they were allegedly looking for another individual with a different name.
Video footage, recorded by Mendez’s wife, Marilu Domingo Ortiz, captured the agents using a hammer to break the car window before detaining her husband. The family believes Mendez is being held in a facility in Dover, New Hampshire. Galvez-Sniffin recounted that Ortiz was visibly distressed at the scene, and noted Mendez called for help in Spanish as he was taken away in handcuffs. The lawyer expressed shock at the violent measures used during the detainment, describing it as unprecedented in her 27 years of immigration work.
ICE has not responded to requests for comment. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell remarked on social media that the incident raises significant questions, including the lack of prior notification to local police. He also questioned whether ICE is targeting criminals as intended by the Trump administration or indiscriminately detaining individuals with uncertain immigration status.
Ortiz and her son have been granted asylum due to fears of persecution if they return to Guatemala. Mendez, who has lived in the U.S. for four years, works in the seafood industry and has no criminal record, according to Galvez-Sniffin. Despite being in the asylum application process, ICE agents allegedly refused to consider documentation proving Mendez’s application status. The family’s primary concern is securing Mendez’s release, as he poses no criminal threat and has substantial ties to the community.
This incident comes amid growing scrutiny over ICE’s detainment tactics in New England, highlighted by recent controversial arrests. In one such case, an ICE agent was found in contempt by a Boston judge for arresting a man during his trial, sparking criticism from local law enforcement officials. A separate case involving the detention of a Turkish student by ICE has also drawn attention and calls for the student’s release.
The Human Element Explored
These incidents with ICE have significant implications for ordinary individuals and their communities. Families like Mendez’s face uncertainty and fear, as loved ones are detained without clear justification, affecting their mental well-being and family stability. Such actions by immigration authorities can lead to heightened anxiety and mistrust within immigrant communities, potentially discouraging individuals from seeking necessary legal protections or reporting crimes.
On a broader scale, local governments and law enforcement agencies may face increased tensions with federal immigration authorities due to differing approaches to immigration enforcement. This could lead to challenges in collaborative efforts to maintain public safety and trust. Communities may also experience a chilling effect on economic contributions from immigrants who provide essential labor in industries such as seafood processing, potentially impacting local economies.
