NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Federal officers who reportedly smashed a car window during an arrest of a Guatemalan national who refused to comply with officers’ instructions in New Bedford used actions “deemed appropriate” by law enforcement, ICE officials said Wednesday.
Cell phone video taken by occupants of the vehicle shows what appears to be federal officers smashing a car window during an arrest of Juan Francisco Mendez, 29, a Guatemalan national who federal authorities say is in the U.S. illegally.
Further details about Mendez’s background were not immediately available Wednesday.
In a statement provided to Boston 25, an ICE spokesperson said that Juan Francisco Mendez is “an illegally present Guatemalan alien who was detained by ICE Boston” in New Bedford on April 14.
“During the course of his arrest, he refused to comply with officers’ instructions and resisted apprehension,” the ICE spokesperson said.
“ICE concurs with the actions deemed appropriate by the officers on the scene who are trained to use the minimum amount of force necessary to resolve the situation in a manner that ensures the success of the operation and prioritizes the safety of our officers,” the ICE spokesperson concluded.
Immigration Attorney Ondine Galvez Sniffin said in an interview with affiliate WPRI that her clients — Mendez, 29, and his wife — were pulled over.
The couple, who reportedly did not roll down their window or get out of the car at the direction of the federal officers, reportedly told the officers they were waiting for their attorney to arrive.
Video taken by people inside the vehicle shows Mendez and his wife speaking to the officers through the closed windows in Spanish.
One officer can be heard replying, “We’re not leaving. You can do this one of two ways: the hard way, or the easy way.”
When the couple doesn’t roll down their window, one officer grabs what appears to be a large tool and breaks the glass.
Sniffin said her clients have lawful status here and do not have a criminal record.
Sniffin said Francisco Mendez is currently being held in New Hampshire, and that his wife is devastated trying to explain to their child what happened.
“As she was here in my office as we’re strategizing to request bond, her son calls her on the cellphone, ‘Mommy, when are you going to be home? Please don’t forget to bring Daddy when you come home,’” Sniffin said.
Sniffin says Francisco Mendez may be in court next month.
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