An undocumented immigrant, apprehended in Massachusetts on Thursday following a heated exchange with federal officials, had previously assaulted a coworker with scissors and a trash bin over the summer, according to statements released Friday.
Agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement intercepted Juliana Milena Ojeda-Montoya during a traffic stop in Fitchburg, located about 60 miles west of Boston, as reported by the Department of Homeland Security.
At the time of the stop, Ojeda-Montoya was traveling with her husband, who is also an undocumented immigrant from Ecuador, and their child, who was sitting on her lap rather than in a child safety seat, authorities noted.
Juliana Milena Ojeda-Montoya (Department of Homeland Security)
During the incident, officials informed Ojeda-Montoya of her arrest warrant and instructed her to hand over the child to her spouse, Carlos Zapata Rivera. She allegedly resisted, and Rivera reportedly began experiencing a seizure.
The ICE agents on site promptly contacted emergency services, but Zapata declined medical assistance and showed no visible signs of health issues, as per DHS information.
“Despite ICE law enforcement officers’ several attempts to deescalate the situation and repeated requests that the father take custody of the child, both parents stated they were willing to put the child into state custody,” a DHS news release states. “Once Zapata Rivera realized he would be arrested for immigration violations if he did not agree to take custody of the child, he suddenly decided to be a good father and left with the child.”
During the arrest of Ojeda-Montoya, she resisted arrest and a crowd of agitators formed, authorities said.
Some people in the crowd began allegedly shouting obscenities, death threats, and antisemitic remarks at authorities including: “You probably support Israel too…you look like a Jew… I bet you are a f****** Jew” and “I’m going to remember those eyes…I’m going to find you… I’m going to come for you… I know you probably have kids… We’re going to kill you and your kids… I am going to shoot all of you.”
The Fitchburg Police Department dispatched officers to the scene to keep the peace.
In a statement, Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized the narrative that authorities caused Rivera’s medical episode.
“Once again, the media ran with a FALSE narrative about our brave ICE law enforcement officers. As usual, here’s the REAL story: ICE targeted a known criminal who repeatedly stabbed her coworker,” she said. “Medical personnel found there was no legitimate medical emergency.”
She noted that Zapata was captured on video on his feet and coherent moments later.
“Our law enforcement officers requested the father take custody of the child, but he refused,” she said. “He quickly decided to leave with the child once he realized if he didn’t take custody ICE would arrest him for an immigration violation.”
Zapata told the Boston Globe that the medical episode was triggered by immigration agents who “pressed on his neck.”
“They were pushing us together, there with our baby in the middle,” he said, according to the newspaper.
Ojeda-Montoya illegally entered the United States on Feb. 22, 2023 under the Biden administration near Lukeville, Arizona, authorities said. She was released into the country the following March.
She was taken to the Cumberland County Jail in Scarborough, Maine and will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
Zapata entered the United States illegally on the same date as his wife and was later released.
