A former New Haven woman, Nancy Martinez, has filed a federal lawsuit against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after she was arrested while taking her children to school. Martinez was driving her children to school on June 9, 2025, when her car was boxed in by unmarked vehicles.

According to the complaint, officers identified themselves only as law enforcement and did not say they were immigration authorities. It alleges Martinez was removed from the car and handcuffed while her children watched. The complaint also alleges officers spoke only in English without confirming she understood them, and left the children without ensuring they had an adult to take care of them.

Concerns Over Parental Rights

The lawsuit claims the arrest caused emotional distress for both children, now ages 9 and 14, who are U.S. citizens and still live in New Haven with relatives. Martinez was undergoing court-mandated anger management at the time and tried to tell officers she had a court appearance that morning. It further alleges neither Martinez nor her attorneys were presented with a judicial warrant.

Original reporting: NBC Connecticut (Hartford) — read the source article.