A legal immigrant with a green card and her two American children have launched a high-stakes legal battle against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The lawsuit alleges they were subjected to a violent and unlawful detention outside a courthouse in Chelsea, Massachusetts, an incident that left the family hospitalised and traumatised.
The Courthouse Confrontation: Shattered Windows and a Forcible Arrest
The incident unfolded on 26 September when Hilda Ramirez Sanan, 50, accompanied her brother-in-law to a court hearing. According to the legal filing, as they arrived at the Chelsea courthouse, four unmarked ICE vehicles suddenly surrounded and blocked their car.
The lawsuit paints a harrowing picture of the moments that followed. It states that officers, without identifying themselves or issuing any commands, used a sharp tool to smash the front and rear windows on the driver's side. Shards of glass struck Ramirez Sanan and her brother-in-law.
Lawyers claim the officers then violently arrested Ramirez Sanan, forcefully twisting her arms to handcuff her, kicking her, and slamming her face-first into the ground. This alleged assault occurred in full view of her two terrified children, both of whom are US citizens.
Children Targeted: Autistic Son Threatened with Arrest
The legal complaint details further disturbing actions directed at the children. It alleges that an ICE officer reached into the damaged vehicle, unbuckled the seatbelt of Ramirez Sanan's 13-year-old son, and forcibly pulled him from the car.
The child, who is on the autism spectrum, was reportedly shaking and crying when an officer questioned him about his legal status and age. The lawsuit states the officer threatened to arrest the boy if he did not answer or provide proof of status, despite his evident distress and disability.
The ordeal only ceased when local police intervened and asked the ICE agents to check Ramirez Sanan's identification, the filing adds. She is a lawful permanent resident who has lived in the United States for more than two decades.
Physical Injuries and a Quest for Justice
Following the confrontation, Ramirez Sanan and her children were taken by ambulance to a hospital emergency room. Her lawyers report she suffered a concussion, extensive bruising, and a radial nerve palsy from the force used to handcuff her.
"My family is broken and will never be the same," Ramirez Sanan said. "I am still in daily pain from my injuries. As a mother, the hardest part is seeing how scared and traumatized my children are. I hope to help prevent this from happening to other innocent families."
The lawsuit has been filed by the advocacy group Lawyers for Civil Rights and seeks $1 million in damages. Senior attorney Jillian Lenson condemned the officers' actions, stating they "did not even identify themselves, let alone provide an explanation or warrant, before violently assaulting the family." She described the behaviour as "illegal, shameless, and inhumane."
ICE has not publicly responded to requests for comment on the allegations. The case highlights ongoing tensions and legal challenges surrounding immigration enforcement tactics in the United States.
