Immigration and Customs Enforcement reportedly wrongfully detains high school intern in Rhode Island

An incident involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement has drawn sharp criticism from officials.

According to Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, on Thursday, ICE agents wrongfully detained a high school intern outside the Superior Court in Providence.

McKee called it “an outrageous and indefensible act that could have completely upended a young person’s life. Rhode Islanders should not have to fear federal agents operating with such reckless disregard for the law and human dignity. This was not a harmless mistake. It was the direct result of callous and chaotic policies by the Trump Administration. Moreover, ICE’s failure to exercise even a shred of due diligence is shameful and underscores just how broken and dangerous these federal policies are.”

The incident was reportedly a case of mistaken identity. 

According to a statement obtained by WCVB, a Superior Court judge stepped in insisting that the teenager was wrongfully identified and that the student would have been taken into ICE custody if not for the judge’s actions.

McKee announced his support after the incident for the Judiciary’s commitment to enhance access to virtual hearings and promote safe access to the courts.