Former New Haven woman sues ICE over arrest in front of children
A former New Haven woman has filed a federal lawsuit against Immigration and Customs Enforcement after she was arrested while taking her children to school.
Nancy Martinez was deported to Mexico in July 2025. Her two children, now ages 9 and 14, are U.S. citizens and still live in New Haven with relatives.
According to the complaint, Martinez was driving her children to school on June 9, 2025, when her car was boxed in by unmarked vehicles.
The lawsuit says officers identified themselves only as law enforcement and did not say they were immigration authorities. It alleges Martinez was removed from the car and handcuffed while her children watched.
The complaint also alleges officers spoke only in English without confirming she understood them, and left the children without ensuring they had an adult to take care of them.
The complaint says Martinez was undergoing court-mandated anger management at the time and tried to tell officers she had a court appearance that morning.
It further alleges neither Martinez nor her attorneys were presented with a judicial warrant.
The lawsuit claims the arrest caused emotional distress for both children.
NBC Connecticut has reached out to ICE for comment and has not yet received a response.
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