Overview
- U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neuman found that detaining Zapata without an opportunity to be heard violated her rights and directed her release pending further proceedings.
- Zapata was arrested Nov. 6 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, while being driven to work and was held at the Cumberland County Jail in Maine.
- A widely viewed video of the arrest shows her husband appearing to have a seizure as he clings to Zapata and their toddler.
- ICE officials say agents targeted Zapata over a reported stabbing of a co-worker and allege her husband faked a medical emergency.
- ACLU of Maine lawyers say the couple applied for asylum and hold work authorization, and they report Zapata has reunited with her daughter.