In a shocking incident in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained Juan Francisco Méndez, a 29-year-old man from Guatemala, despite claims from his wife and attorney that he was mistakenly arrested. The incident, which occurred on April 14, 2025, saw agents forcibly removing Méndez from his car by smashing the window, while he and his wife were waiting for their attorney.
Méndez’s wife, Marilú, who recorded the encounter, insists that the agents had the wrong person, as they were allegedly searching for someone named “Antonio.” Méndez, who has no criminal record, was in the process of adjusting his immigration status. His wife and child are legally residing in the U.S., and the family argues that the arrest was both excessive and unjustified.
The attorney representing the family, Ondine Galvez Sniffin, is challenging the legality of the detention. According to the attorney, the agents were targeting the wrong individual and used excessive force to carry out the arrest. Méndez is currently being held at the Strafford County Correctional Facility in Dover, New Hampshire, awaiting a hearing in early May.
The incident has raised concerns about ICE’s practices and the risk of mistaken identity in immigration arrests. It also highlights ongoing criticisms of ICE’s enforcement tactics, particularly regarding the use of force and the potential for wrongful detentions.
