ICE Detains Longtime Green Card Holder Eva Mendes Over Decades-Old Petty Offenses

A Rhode Island grandmother and legal permanent resident is being held by federal immigration authorities. Eva Mendes, 48, was detained at Boston’s Logan International Airport upon returning from a family visit. She has held a green card for forty years.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents took her into custody on November 5. Her attorney states there is no legal justification for her continued detention, citing only minor offenses from her past.

Family Misses Milestones as Legal Battle Continues

Eva Mendes was returning from Cape Verde after visiting her mother. The trip followed the sudden death of her brother. She missed the birth of her first grandchild during her initial 12-day detention at the airport.

According to Newsweek, she was later transferred to a county jail in Maine. Her lawyer, Todd Pomerleau, says he has never been given written charges. He calls the situation “unconstitutional depravity.”

Mendes is a mother of six and a longtime Rhode Island taxpayer. Her family has started a GoFundMe to cover legal costs. It describes her as a devoted wife and a kindhearted community member.

Broader Questions on Immigration Enforcement

This case raises significant questions about U.S. immigration procedures. Federal officials typically do not detain green card holders for petty, non-violent offenses. They usually release individuals while retaining travel documents pending review.

According to her attorney, some of the cited offenses are from her teens. These cannot legally be used against her. The Department of Homeland Security has not provided details or an explanation for her detention.

The situation highlights the precarious status of even long-term legal residents. Mendes has called the United States home since she was eight years old. Her family and legal team continue to fight for her release and return home.

The detention of Eva Mendes underscores the complex challenges within the U.S. immigration system. This case involving a longtime green card holder continues to develop as her legal team seeks clarity and her release.

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Why was Eva Mendes detained by ICE?

She was detained by Customs and Border Protection upon re-entering the U.S. Officials cited past criminal history. Her attorney states these are minor, decades-old misdemeanors.

How long has Eva Mendes been a legal permanent resident?

Eva Mendes has held a green card for forty years. She received it when she was just eight years old. She has lived in the United States most of her life.

Where is Eva Mendes being held now?

After initially being held at Boston Logan Airport, she was transferred to the Cumberland County Jail in Portland, Maine. Her detention there continues as of recent reports.

What is the status of her legal case?

Her lawyer filed a habeas petition to fight for her release. The court has yet to rule on the petition. The Department of Homeland Security has not publicly detailed the charges.

What kind of offenses are in her past?

Her record includes a misdemeanor from about twenty years ago. It also includes minor offenses from her teenage years. None are reported to be violent or dangerous crimes.