Rhode Island lawmaker calls ICE agents “Nazi Gestapo” and “thugs” after MS-13 arrest in Providence

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A Rhode Island state representative is facing backlash after referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as “Nazi Gestapo” and “thugs” in a social media post following a recent ICE operation that led to an MS-13 arrest in Providence.

Rep. Enrique Sanchez, posted on social media that ICE agents “kidnapped another of our neighbors” during the operation on Alverson Street, adding that agents “damaged a couple of residents’ cars” and accused them of acting “above the law.”

“I strongly condemn this act of terror and will be demanding answers and seeking action tomorrow,” Sanchez wrote. “I am tired of this s**t. Providence doesn’t want ICE thugs in our city.”

The man arrested was identified as Ivan Rene Mendoza Meza, a 27-year-old Honduran national who is in the U.S. illegally and is a self-admitted member of the violent MS-13 gang, according to ICE.

ICE officials said that during the operation, Mendoza attempted to flee by ramming ICE vehicles before retreating into his apartment. He later surrendered to federal agents without further incident.

Mendoza has a history of criminal activity, including charges related to fentanyl trafficking in Rhode Island. In August 2023, ICE’s Boston field office issued an immigration detainer for him following those charges. However, the 6th District Court of Rhode Island did not honor the detainer and released him without notifying federal authorities.

“Mr. Mendoza is a self-admitted member of MS-13 in Honduras and states he has committed crimes on behalf of the gang,” said James Covington, a spokesperson for ICE Boston.

In response to Rep. Sanchez’s remarks, ICE spokesperson Emily Covington criticized the lawmaker’s characterization of the arrest.

“Mr. Sanchez thinks so little of his community that he refers to ruthless MS-13 members as his ‘neighbors’? The only ‘thugs’ we see are the illegal terrorist gang members we are trying to remove from the neighborhoods of Providence,” she said.

Last month Sanchez called for anti-ICE protests in Providence.

Rep. Sanchez has previously attracted attention for introducing legislation in 2023 (RI H5461) that would have granted voting rights to undocumented immigrants in Rhode Island. The bill was tabled for further study a month after its introduction.