Venezuelan man tackled by ICE agents in New Hampshire courthouse

In a dramatic incident on February 20, 2023, Arnuel Marquez Colmenarez, a 33-year-old Venezuelan man, was apprehended by federal agents in a New Hampshire courthouse. He was present for his arraignment concerning several misdemeanor charges including drunk driving, driving without a license, and failing to provide information after an accident. The apprehension took place at the Nashua Circuit Court, where recent security footage revealed agents tackling him to the ground and handcuffing him. The altercation resulted in an older bystander using a cane being knocked over during the struggle. Jared Neff, a court liaison officer for the Hudson Police Department, were in the prosecutor's office nearby when he heard a commotion. He reported hearing voices yelling 'Stop!' and a loud bang as the agents detained Marquez Colmenarez, who was resisting arrest. Notably, the agents had attempted to detain him quietly in an elevator, but he had fled when approached. Following the incident, a bench warrant was issued for his failure to appear for his arraignment. As a result, Marquez Colmenarez was later transferred to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Texas. The incident highlights the complicated dynamics surrounding immigration enforcement in courthouses, particularly under recent policies which permit ICE agents to make arrests in such venues if they believe the targeted individuals are present. The increasing presence of immigration officials in courthouses during President Donald Trump's administration has faced significant scrutiny from local officials and judges. The controversial nature of these arrests raises questions about the balance between law enforcement actions and the rights of individuals seeking to engage with the legal system.