Man arrested by masked ICE officers on Hartford street despite state law ban
May 18, 2026·Location: Hartford, CT
Country of origin: 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
More incidents in Connecticut
- Man Arrested by ICE at Meriden courthouseOct 1, 2026 · Meriden, CT
- SCSU basketball player detained by ICE at airport, released after two weeksSep 28, 2026 · New Haven, CT
- Dozens detained in multi-day ICE sweep in Danbury, families separatedSep 23, 2026 · Danbury, CT
- Two activists hurt as ICE clash erupts outside Meriden courthouseSep 23, 2026 · Meriden, CT
- Ecuadorian woman arrested by ICE at Tweed Airport despite no criminal recordSep 11, 2026 · New Haven, CT
- ICE detains about 100 people in days-long Danbury-area operationAug 31, 2026 · Danbury, CT