CONWAY, Wash. — Juan Aloatorre Martinez, a longtime resident known locally as the “unofficial mayor” of Conway, is currently in the Tacoma Detention Center after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained him in July.
Martinez, originally from Mexico, has lived and worked in Conway for more than 20 years while awaiting a green card.
While Martinez and his attorney claim that ICE agents apprehended the wrong person during the arrest, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that he was targeted due to two prior arrests.
According to DHS, those prior offenses include driving with a suspended license and supplying or permitting minors to consume liquor.
Martinez described being surrounded by several ICE agents as he was opening up at work in July.
He noted that the agents were not forceful, but detained him anyway.
“They say, ‘I’m sorry it’s not you we are looking for, but you’re here. So we will take you,’” Martinez said. He added that agents told him, “So let’s do this easy,” and “We don’t wanna break your window. We don’t’ want to break your door of your car.”
From inside the Tacoma Detention Center, Martinez described difficult conditions while awaiting his legal proceedings.
“The food is really, really awful. The water is not good,” Martinez said.
News of his detention led friends and co-workers in Conway to rally around him and advocate for his release.
Alex Gonzalez, a co-worker of Martinez, recalled his own past experiences upon learning of the arrest.
“I knew exactly what he went through because I went through the same thing. And it was just sad,” Gonzalez said.
Lindsey Brooks, a friend of Martinez, praised his character in the community.
“You don’t have angels like that anymore,” Brooks said.
Tim Ferrell, another friend of Martinez, began searching for representation immediately after speaking with him.
“He asked that I get an attorney. So now, that’s when I started looking for an attorney because I knew we had to do this right away,” Ferrell said.
Peter Mendham, another friend, characterized the situation as a matter of basic fairness.
“This shouldn’t be red, blue, left, right. This is just right or wrong. And this is just wrong,” Mendham said.
Despite his detention, Martinez expressed appreciation for the community support he has received.
“I never expected so much help. That much love, you know. And I want to say thank you very much to everybody,” Martinez said.
Martinez has a hearing scheduled for Oct. 8.
A GoFundMe has been established for legal fees.