Man arrested by masked ICE officers on Hartford street despite state law ban
May 18, 2026 · Hartford, CT, Honduras

Alejandro Josue Cervantes-Mencia was arrested by ICE officers on Lafayette Street in Hartford on May 18, 2026. Several officers wore masks and lacked clear identification, violating Connecticut's recently signed law prohibiting immigration officers from wearing masks during enforcement actions. According to ICE, Cervantes-Mencia entered the U.S. illegally in 2016 and had a final removal order issued by an immigration judge on April 5, 2022. He was also facing state charges for possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to sell.
Timeline
May 18, 2026—ICE officers arrested Cervantes-Mencia on Lafayette Street in Hartford; several officers wore masks lacking clear identification in violation of Connecticut state law
Apr 5, 2022—Immigration judge issued final removal order against Cervantes-Mencia
2016—Cervantes-Mencia entered the U.S. illegally
Sources
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