On Tuesday, Christopher Martinez Marvan was heading home during his lunch break. This 31-year-old Mexican citizen has been a part of Helena since 2008 when his family first brought him to the U.S. Over the years, he has supported his wife and four children through hotel maintenance work.
Coincidentally, Helena Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations officers were in pursuit of Anderson DeJesus Bastidas Linares, who had an active criminal warrant. While conducting their search, they spotted Martinez Marvan driving nearby. Although he was not their target, they noticed his vehicle registration was expired and stopped him.
Helena Police Chief Brett Petty and Lieutenant Adam Shanks later informed reporters that officers initially mistook Martinez Marvan for the suspect. They intended to issue a citation for the expired registration and let him go. However, the situation escalated when Border Patrol and HSI federal officers advised that Martinez Marvan had a federal detainer, leading to his custody transfer.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) did not disclose details about Martinez Marvan’s immigration status, criminal record, or current location. However, they released a statement emphasizing their focus on public safety and national security, stating that individuals illegally present in the U.S. may face custody and removal during immigration enforcement operations.
Witnesses reported the stop on one of Helena’s busiest streets, sparking community concern when they learned Martinez Marvan was taken to Lewis and Clark County Detention Center, despite the county lacking an agreement with federal authorities for immigrant detentions.
Helena residents, learning about Martinez Marvan’s family and clean record, sought legal assistance and gathered outside the detention center to demand his release. Mayor Wilmot Collins met with police officials to ease community tensions, later addressing protestors that the police had mistakenly detained the wrong individual.
Immigrant arrests have surged since President Donald Trump’s recent inauguration, with a focus on deporting criminal offenders. However, data shows an increase in arrests of individuals without criminal backgrounds. Montana has seen fewer such incidents, though recent detentions have raised local concerns about collaboration between local and federal authorities.
Christopher Martinez Marvan’s arrest invoked accusations of racial profiling and prompted a call for investigations into local and federal collaborations. At a community meeting, residents expressed outrage over detention center officials reportedly barring Martinez Marvan’s legal counsel before his transfer. A hearing is set for July 10 in Missoula federal court. His family and supporters continue to advocate for due legal process.
Maria Pacheco, Martinez Marvan’s wife and a U.S. citizen, described her husband as a devoted father, stressing that he consistently fulfills any legal obligations. Despite considering moving to Mexico, the family decided against it due to their daughters’ safety concerns. Pacheco expressed fear and frustration over their predicament, fearing for their future stability.
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