The Latino community in New Bedford is still reeling from the violent arrest of Juan Francisco Méndez, an immigrant from Guatemala with no known criminal record who was in the process of applying for asylum when he was picked up by federal agents.
Gerardo Beltrán Salinas is a freelance journalist who has been covering this story for the New Bedford Light. CAI’s Gilda Geist spoke with him to hear updates about Mendez's case, and to learn about how federal immigration raids are impacting everyday life for some New Bedford residents.
Gilda Geist Gerardo, you've been covering the ICE [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] raids in New Bedford in recent weeks. So, can you give us a general picture of how many people have been arrested by federal agents in New Bedford since Trump took office, and tell us a little bit about how this has impacted the community?
Gerardo Beltrán Salinas Yes, according to a report published by the New Bedford Light, 17 people have been detained in the city since Trump took office. Community organizations estimate the number is around 22. Beyond the numbers, the emotional and social toll on the community is immense. People are afraid to go shopping, send their kids to school, take a walk in the park, attend church. Latino businesses are reporting losses similar to what they experienced during the pandemic.
GG Recently, you covered the arrest of Juan Francisco Méndez, which drew national attention due to a dramatic video showing an agent smashing his car window. So, can you remind us what happened there? Have you spoken to Méndez or his wife?
GBS That Monday, I was alerted by a local community leader. Juan Francisco's lawyer was there. She had arrived just seconds before he was taken away. She even ran after ICE, banging on their window in a desperate attempt to stop them. Near the car which had its window shattered was Marilú Domingo, Juan Francisco's wife. She had recorded a video and shared it with me. Her phone footage included the moment an ICE agent broke the car window with a heavy object right before they arrested her husband. Juan Francisco is still being held in New Hampshire and is expected to appear before an immigration court in Massachusetts in early May. I was able to interview him. He is being held at the facility with 30 to 40 others in the same situation. I also spoke with Marilú. She told me their nine-year-old son found out about his father's arrest through social media. Now he doesn't want to go to school. From what I observed, both Marilú and her son are in shock.
GG How have city officials in New Bedford responded to these ICE raids?
GBS Well, the mayor, Jon Mitchell, has faced strong criticism from the Hispanic community for what many perceive as his detachment from their plight. A few weeks ago, a protest was held in front of City Hall, and I witnessed people in frustration because he didn't attend. Following Juan Francisco's arrest, the mayor held a press conference in which he said that ICE had provided local officials with misleading information about the operation. That was a surprise for me. Up until then, both he and police chief Paul Oliveira had assured the community that they would be protected. However, when Juan Francisco was arrested, the New Bedford police officers who arrived refused to file a report. I witnessed Marilú in tears, frantically calling family members for help, the lawyer in shock, a neighbor sweeping broken glass off the sidewalk and community leaders demanding answers for what they saw as an act of extreme violence—dragging a man with no criminal record from his car without a warrant against his will.
