Man has seizure as ICE arrests wife in Fitchburg traffic stop
Nov 7, 2025·Location: Fitchburg, MA
Country of origin: Ecuador

ICE agents surrounded a family's car in Fitchburg on Thursday morning to arrest Juliana Milena Ojeda-Montoya, who was wanted for allegedly stabbing a coworker with scissors. Video shows her husband Carlos Zapata, 24, appearing to have a seizure while holding their toddler daughter during the arrest. Zapata said agents pushed, hit him, and pressed on his neck, causing him to lose consciousness. DHS officials disputed his account, claiming he faked the medical emergency and stating medical personnel found no legitimate emergency.
Sources
- Man appears to have a seizure as ICE arrests his wife, but officials disagree
Associated Press·Nov 8, 2025·archived copy
- Man appears to have a seizure as ICE arrests his wife, but U.S. officials push back
nbcboston.com·Nov 8, 2025·archived copy
on.nbcboston.com·Nov 8, 2025·archived copy
- Man who suffered apparent seizure in Fitchburg ICE stop thanks supporters at vigil: ‘We’ll find a way out of this’
Boston Globe·Nov 9, 2025·archived copy
- CourtListener
More incidents in Massachusetts
- Babson College student deported to Honduras despite judge's order, now fights for returnOct 5, 2026 · Boston, MA
- ICE raids chill immigrant businesses and community in New BedfordOct 3, 2026 · New Bedford, MA
- North African man pressured to self-deport amid Uganda deportation threatOct 2, 2026 · Plymouth, MA
- Waltham asylum seeker deported to Uganda despite pending appeal windowSep 30, 2026 · Waltham, MA
- Angolan asylum seeker tackled, tased at neck during New Bedford ICE arrestSep 30, 2026 · New Bedford, MA
- Three Honduran brothers detained by ICE in New Bedford grocery store parking lotSep 28, 2026 · New Bedford, MA