Footage has surfaced of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents violently smashing a car window with a hammer in New Bedford, Massachusetts. They carried out this operation in order to arrest Juan Francisco Mendez. The story hit home to local residents as the action played out on the very morning of his dental appointment. It raised awareness of the racism that permeates the practices of immigration enforcement entities.
Marilu Domingo Ortiz, Mendez’s wife, recorded the event on video. ICE agents smashed a window out with a long-handled hammer to gain access. That video went absolutely viral on social media. It captures in startling detail the climactic scene when federal agents smashed through the plate glass window to arrest Mendez. Because this incident happened in a public place, it illustrates just how visible and accessible the actions of law enforcement to the public can be.
Mendez was stopped while en route to his dental appointment, an everyday activity that escalated into a confrontation with the agents. The video captures the moment when the car window is brutally broken, then follows moments later as the agents enter the car to physically remove and arrest him. Ortiz’s audio gives us a firsthand look at how fast this situation deteriorated, and how overzealous ICE’s tactics were.
The public response to this one incident has been extraordinary. People are up-in-arms about government enforcement practices concerning migrants. Critics say these tactics are over the top including creating an atmosphere of fear within immigrant communities. That video raised serious questions about how federal agents should detain people.
As of the time of writing, ICE has not made any public statements regarding this incident. It’s important to note that these actions are raising bigger questions about the Administration’s overall immigration policies and enforcement priorities. The agency’s operations often draw scrutiny regarding their impact on families and public safety.