ICE Detains Mexican National in Flagstaff, Family Plans Self-Deportation

ICE Detention in Flagstaff Sparks Concerns as Enforcement Operations Begin

In a recent development that has stirred concern among local activists, a Mexican national was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents outside his residence in Flagstaff. The incident marks the first known ICE activity in the city following the opening of a new field office in the area earlier this year.

The 34-year-old man was reportedly on his way to take his children to school when he was approached by agents at his apartment on East Cortland Boulevard. According to Maria Castillo Rincon, who speaks for the family, the man was subsequently taken to Phoenix. Photos shared on social media depicted law enforcement presence in the apartment’s parking lot.

“[Agents] approached him as he was getting into the vehicle to warm up the vehicle to take the children to school. The children were not in the vehicle yet,” Castillo Rincon explained. “So they saw from the window that the father was being handcuffed and taken and put in a vehicle by these ICE agents.”

The family, which has resided in Flagstaff for at least two years, had previously sought asylum in the United States due to violence in Mexico; however, their application was denied, and a deportation order was issued. Post-detention, the man’s wife was contacted by ICE and instructed to surrender in Phoenix, which she did, accompanied by her children, thus initiating a self-deportation process.

Flagstaff officials confirmed that ICE has secured office space at 1585 S. Plaza Way, though no municipal property is involved. Castillo Rincon believes the family was targeted due to the deportation order and mentioned that ICE’s original intention was to detain a different family member in Flagstaff. ICE has neither confirmed nor disputed these details.

Concerns among immigrant advocacy groups are growing, with Castillo Rincon from Keep Flagstaff Together expressing fears about future operations affecting mixed-status families. “I’m very, very worried, not only worried for the persons that are undocumented, but for the people that are citizens that are legally here,” she stated.

A video by local resident Jeff Duncan, later shared on social media by Keep Flagstaff Together, captured ICE agents staging at Fort Tuthill County Park. “We’re ICE officers,” an agent declared in the footage. “We’re conducting a law enforcement operation.” Duncan expressed discomfort over the presence of ICE in the community.

Local authorities, including the Flagstaff Police Department and Coconino County officials, were reportedly unaware of the ICE operation until informed by social media and public reports. Flagstaff Police spokesperson Jerry Rintala clarified that the department was not involved in the operation and typically does not receive prior notice from ICE.