Rep. Vicente Gonzalez was “disturbed to learn” that an illegal immigrant with multiple theft convictions had been arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
The Texas Democrat suggested that the arrest of Ericka Gonzalez Zuniga, a Mexican national living in the United States illegally, should not have taken place in a courthouse but did acknowledge that it was a lawful arrest.
“I was disturbed to learn that ICE arrested Ericka Gonzalez Zuniga at the Hidalgo County Courthouse yesterday,” the congressman said in a public statement on Friday. “While lawful, this lacked forethought, incites fear in our community, and may have a detrimental impact on our local justice system.”
Gonzalez Zuniga not only illegally crossed into the U.S. multiple times, but the 42-year-old has also been convicted of theft several times and was ordered deported by a judge in 2005. She was in the courthouse on Thursday to attend the sentencing of her 20-year-old son, Orlando Zuniga Rodriguez, who was convicted of driving drunk and killing a police dispatcher. He was ultimately sentenced to 20 years in prison.
A spokeswoman for the family released a statement slamming ICE for their “malicious” actions.
“On behalf of the family, it is important to recognize the malicious intent of the ICE officials who waited for Ms. Gonzalez Suniga outside the 275th District Court,” the statement read. “Whether they had lawful reason to detain her or not, there are certainly more appropriate means to do so.”
The statement went on to say that the arrest sent the message that courtrooms are not safe for non-citizens.
ICE also released a statement explaining that courthouses are not considered “sensitive” locations such as schools, places of worship, and hospitals.
“In such instances where officers seek to conduct an arrest at a courthouse, every effort is made to take the person into custody in a secure area, out of public view, for the safety of those involved,” the ICE spokesperson said.
