President Donald Trump‘s immigration enforcers apprehended a Massachusetts man with no criminal record despite realizing he was not the intended target.
Daniel Orellana, 25, from Guatemala, was traveling to work when he was snatched by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, according to Spanish news outlet Telemundo.
Daniel’s girlfriend, Zulema Alfaro, told Telemundo: “He has communicated with me, letting me know about the situation and that it was a misunderstanding, and they told him, ‘OK, but we’re going to take you anyway.’”
Newsweek has contacted ICE for comment.
Why It Matters
Trump’s administration is carrying out large-scale deportations as part of a hardline policy he promised during the 2024 campaign. During the campaign, Trump vowed to go after serious criminals. However, a wave of permanent residents, green card holders, and nonviolent immigrants without legal status have been detained by ICE. The immigration raids have raised concerns over due process, racial profiling, and the detention of individuals with longstanding ties to their communities.
What To Know
The arrest took place around 6 a.m. at a Shell gas station in Framingham, Massachusetts.
Orelllan’s family claims he has no prior police or criminal record.
According to his father, Arquímedes Orellana, ICE asked his son: “Are you this person?”
“My son answered, ‘I’m not that person. I don’t know him.’… ‘Do you know him?’ ‘No, I don’t know him, I don’t know who he is, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m going to work right now, and let me answer my phone because my boss is calling me.’… And they took his phone and, when they asked him his status, they obviously took him,” Orellana said.
Enrique Martinez, an employee at a Shell gas station, confirmed to Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra that the arrest occurred inside the station and that the vehicle was left behind.
After several hours of searching, Daniel’s family located his vehicle and later that evening learned of his whereabouts.
Three years ago, the Orellana family fled violence in Guatemala and came to the United States. Daniel was on the verge of earning his law degree, but for his safety he was forced to leave everything behind and migrate with documents.
What People Are Saying
Arquímedes Orellana told Teleumundo: “It’s not fair that he’s going through this and that they’re treating him like a criminal.”
“I’m not against what the government is doing,” Arquimedes said. “I mean, I know the government is working to improve the country. I mean, he wants to see the country prosperous, and that’s excellent, but it’s not fair that they take innocent people, people who are productive for the country.”
What Happens Next
Daniel is currently being held at an immigration detention center in Plymouth.
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