On July 20, approximately 100 protesters picketed outside the Walmart on Coors Boulevard and Interstate 40, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested a man around two weeks prior. A video of the incident shows masked immigration officers tasing a man as he screams for help.
The man in the video is identified as 33-year-old Deivi Jose Molina-Pena, a delivery worker who came to the United States from Venezuela under Temporary Protected Status two years ago, according to Source NM. His current whereabouts within ICE custody remain unknown.
A representative of Walmart, where the arrest took place, declined to comment on the incident, as well as national Walmart Media Relations.
Protesters chanted “Burque over billionaires,” and called for stronger worker protections.
Janyce Cardenas, a community organizer at the protest, said she wants to see Walmart designate private spaces for its delivery workers.
“We're asking Walmart and all business owners to do what they need to do to protect their workers, because otherwise we are allowing ICE agents to come and use Walmart and other businesses as hunting grounds for workers,” Cardenas said.
In a statement to the Daily Lobo, Albuquerque Police Department Director of Communications Gilbert Gallegos wrote that APD was not aware of the incident until afterward, when Department of Homeland Security leadership contacted APD to let them know that it “involved a use of force and could get media attention.”
APD does not work with ICE or any other agency on federal immigration enforcement, but the chief maintains an “open line of communication” with Homeland Security, Gallegos wrote.
This incident was not the first time federal law enforcement has arrested Walmart delivery workers.
Federal agents detained as many as 12 deliveristas from Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia and elsewhere, at the Rio Rancho Walmart on June 5, to Source NM.
During a press conference, Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina said APD has a “good working relationship” with federal law enforcement.
“APD is not involved in immigration; we do not share information with them, but we want to continue the strong relationship because communication is the most important key to understanding and reducing tensions within the community,” Medina said.
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Gallegos wrote that if a member of the public calls APD and asks about a specific enforcement operation, the APD dispatcher can check with ICE and verify if there is an active enforcement operation in the city.
“If somebody has zero markings and they’re taking somebody into custody, please call us, we’d love to check and look into this,” Medina said.
On July 21, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller signed an executive order led by the City’s Office of Equity and Inclusion to protect immigration rights in Albuquerque, according to the city’s website.
Albuquerque is an officially recognized immigrant-friendly city and has local laws which prevent city police and employees from asking questions about or documenting someone's immigration status.
ICE cannot disrupt the safety or well-being of city public spaces with “violent or harmful” detainment actions, and no city department, agency or employee can use city resources to assist in federal civil immigration enforcement, including raids, detentions, or information-sharing, unless legally required, according to the order.
While APD cannot legally interfere with ICE activity, they will assist the public in confirming whether federal agents are engaged in immigration enforcement activity, according to the order.
“The City will exhaust all available avenues to prosecute to the highest degree allowable those who defraud the public and commit crimes in our community through impersonation of law enforcement,” the order reads.
ICE did not respond to the Daily Lobo’s request for comment in time for publication
Gallegos wrote that APD has a “strong relationship” with immigrant advocates and the Mexican Consulate.
“We strive to ensure that everyone in the public, including immigrants, feel safe enough to report crime as a victim or a witness. We want to target the crime, regardless of a person’s immigration status,” Gallegos wrote.
Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06
Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @paloma_chapa8
Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06
Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @paloma_chapa88
