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Bridgeport man detained by ICE at school bus stop while waiting with 16-year-old son

May 15, 2026 · Bridgeport, CT, El Salvador

Bridgeport man detained by ICE at school bus stop while waiting with 16-year-old son

Javier Anibal Melgar was detained by ICE officers on May 15, 2026, while sitting in his vehicle with his 16-year-old son waiting for a school bus on Park Avenue in Bridgeport, Connecticut. ICE stated that Melgar is from El Salvador, entered the country illegally in 2005, and had a final removal order issued by an immigration judge in October 2006. Officers allowed Melgar to contact his wife to arrange transportation for their son before taking him into custody. Connecticut lawmakers condemned the arrest as a violation of ICE's sensitive location policies and called it executive overreach. Melgar's current location remains unknown.

Timeline

May 23, 2026Connecticut lawmakers condemned the detention as violation of ICE sensitive location policies and called it executive overreach; ICE stated protocols were followed
May 15, 2026ICE detained Melgar while he sat in vehicle with his 16-year-old son at school bus stop on Park Avenue; officers allowed him to contact his wife before taking him into custody
Oct 1, 2006Immigration judge issued final removal order against Melgar

Sources

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