Marilu Mendez and her husband Juan were followed and surrounded by ICE vehicles in New Bedford, prompting Marilu to record the incident on her cell phone. Despite their lawyer’s advice to stay in the car and not provide information until she arrived, ICE agents smashed the back passenger window with a hammer, mistakenly calling Juan “Antonio.” Juan, an undocumented Guatemalan immigrant in the process of changing his immigration status with no criminal record, was dragged out of the car along with Marilu, who is in the country on asylum.
Their attorney, Ondine Galvez Sniffin, stated that the Mendezes were unfairly detained and that Juan is now held in a detention facility in New Hampshire with a hearing scheduled for May 7. Mayor Jon Mitchell of New Bedford expressed concern over ICE operations not informing the local police department beforehand, potentially posing safety risks and preventing deescalation of situations like this one. He called for clarification from the Trump administration regarding the focus of ICE agents on apprehending criminals versus individuals with uncertain immigration status.
Marilu and Juan were within their rights, being respectful and asserting their right to remain silent and have legal representation, leading to criticism of the ICE agents’ use of violence in this situation. ICE has not responded to requests for comment on the incident.
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