US EditionACLU of Maine Sues on Behalf of Man Detained During Enhanced ICE Operation
The civil engineer alleges agents racially profiled him and used excessive force during a crackdown that led to more than 200 arrests, his lawyers said.
- Juan Sebastián Carvajal-Muñoz filed a lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Portland against federal immigration agents, alleging they racially profiled and violently arrested him during an enhanced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation earlier this year.
- On Jan. 22, during the federal crackdown dubbed "Operation Catch of the Day," agents allegedly smashed Carvajal-Muñoz's car window and dragged him out at Taser-point; despite presenting proof of his legal H-1B visa, they placed him in "full-body shackles," the filing stated.
- The lawsuit details 16 hours of physical and psychological harm, including detention in a windowless cell and agents mocking Carvajal-Muñoz. Released in Massachusetts, the civil engineer with no criminal record had to arrange his own transportation back to Portland.
- Carvajal-Muñoz is suing five agents in their individual capacities under Maine's Civil Rights Act, seeking punitive damages for "physical, mental, financial and reputational" harms. This legal strategy allows recourse when government officials allegedly violate constitutional rights.
- This case follows Monday's announcement that Ramsey County Prosecutor John Choi is investigating DHS agents for similar conduct during Operation Metro Surge. Other Mainers have also sued the federal government over warrantless arrests and excessive force during the January crackdown.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Maine engineer sues DHS agents for ‘racially-profiled’ arrest
A Colombian man studying and working in Maine sued several federal immigration officers whom he said racially profiled him when arresting him in January. The lawsuit comes after a Minnesota prosecutor said he’s investigating agents for kidnapping a Hmong-American man. Juan Sebastián Carvajal-Muñoz was driving to work in January when federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security stopped and detained him in downtown Portland. Agents dro…
Civil engineer sues immigration agents who violently arrested him
Colleagues of Juan Sebastian Carvajal-Munoz, a civil engineer with a work visa detained by agents January 22, discuss where to move his car. Colleagues Amanda Barnett, left, and Ali Brady, right, talk to Top of the Old Port parking lot attendant, Greg Seligman. Photo by Rose Lundy.This story appears as part of a collaboration between The Maine Monitor and Maine Focus, the investigative team of the Bangor Daily News, a partnership to strengthen i…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 42% of the sources lean Left, 42% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
