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ICE Agents Detain Guatemalan Man After Smashing Car Window in New Bedford

Juan Francisco Méndez, a documented asylum seeker with no criminal record, was forcefully detained in a case of apparent mistaken identity, intensifying scrutiny of ICE's aggressive enforcement tactics.

Screenshots of one of the agents smashing in their window with a sledgehammer.
Image

Overview

  • Juan Francisco Méndez was detained by ICE agents in New Bedford, Massachusetts, on April 15, 2025, after they smashed his car window while he and his wife waited for their lawyer.
  • Méndez, who has no criminal record and is in the process of adjusting his immigration status, was reportedly mistaken for another individual named 'Antonio,' according to his wife and attorney.
  • Video footage and eyewitness accounts show ICE agents using excessive force to remove Méndez and his wife from their car, despite their compliance and legal efforts to clarify the situation.
  • This incident is part of a broader pattern of aggressive ICE operations under the Trump administration, with at least 15 detentions reported in New Bedford since January 20, 2025.
  • The detention has sparked local and national criticism, with New Bedford's mayor questioning ICE's lack of coordination with local law enforcement and the Trump administration's enforcement priorities.