A Massachusetts family is seeking answers from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) after agents allegedly smashed a car window with a hammer and detained a man, Juan Francisco Mendez, who had applied for asylum. The family’s lawyer, Ondine Galvez-Sniffin, stated that Ice agents mistakenly targeted Mendez while he was driving to a dental appointment in New Bedford. The incident, captured on video by Mendez’s wife, Marilu Domingo Ortiz, showed agents using force to apprehend him, despite him yelling for help.

Mendez, who had been in the country for four years working in the seafood industry with no criminal record, was in the process of applying for derivative asylum. His wife and son had already been granted asylum due to fears of persecution in Guatemala. Ortiz expressed deep concern over the toll of the detention on her son, who had stopped eating due to the situation.

The family’s lawyers are working to ensure Mendez’s legal rights are upheld, with a federal judge ruling that the government must provide 72 hours notice before moving him. However, Ice has not responded to requests for comment on the incident. New Bedford’s mayor raised questions about the agents’ actions and their targeting practices, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.

Galvez-Sniffin criticized the agents’ treatment of Mendez and his wife, highlighting their lack of criminal records and the unnecessary use of force. The family hopes for Mendez’s release to reunite with them and alleviate the distress caused by his detention. The case underscores concerns about immigration enforcement tactics and the impact on individuals and families seeking asylum in the US.