Progressive Dem Rep Faces Backlash For Calling Ice 'nazi Thugs' While Defending Ms-13 Gang Member

A progressive Democratic authorities typical sparked contention aft referring to ICE agents arsenic "Nazi Gestapo thugs" pursuing an ICE cognition successful Providence, Rhode Island, that resulted successful nan apprehension of a known MS-13 pack member.

"The Nazi Gestapo ICE thugs kidnapped different of our neighbors successful Providence this morning. This clip connected Alverson St.," wrote Rep. Enrique Sanchez successful societal media posts. 

"The ICE thugs damaged a mates of residents’ cars arsenic well. They deliberation they are supra nan law. I powerfully condemn this enactment of panic and will beryllium demanding answers and seeking action tomorrow. I americium tired of this s**t. Providence doesn’t want ICE thugs successful our city."

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The apprehension successful mobility was of Ivan Rene Mendoza Meza, a 27-year-old Honduran nationalist illegally present successful nan U.S. and a self-admitted personnel of nan convulsive MS-13 gang.

ICE sources told Fox News that during nan operation, Mendoza attempted to flee, causing a clang by striking ICE vehicles earlier moving into his apartment. He was yet surrounded and surrendered to agents.

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State Representative Enrique Sanchez (D), calls ICE agents "Nazi Gestapo thugs" successful an online rant aft an alleged MS-13 pack personnel facing fentanyl charges was arrested pinch a grin crossed his face. (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Enrique Sanchez)

Mendoza was seen smirking successful his apprehension photo, seeming to beryllium unfazed by his capture. 

Mendoza has a history of criminal activity, including fentanyl trafficking charges successful Rhode Island. ICE Boston had antecedently lodged an migration detainer against him pursuing those charges successful August 2023. However, nan 6th District Court of Rhode Island declined to grant nan detainer, releasing Mendoza without notifying ICE, forcing agents to find and apprehension him successful nan community.

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In nationalist societal media posts connected some Instagram, X, and Facebook, Rhode Island Democratic authorities typical Enrique Sanchez referred to ICE arsenic "Nazi Gestapo thugs" pursuing an ICE apprehension of an MS-13 pack personnel successful Providence, RI. (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

According to ICE Boston spokesperson James Covington, "Mendoza is simply a self-admitted personnel of MS-13 successful Honduras and states he has committed crimes connected behalf of nan gang."

ICE spokesperson Emily Covington criticized Sanchez’s remarks: "Mr. Sanchez thinks truthful small of his organization that he refers to ruthless MS-13 arsenic his ‘neighbors’? What opportunity you, Providence? The only ‘thugs’ we spot are nan forbidden violent gangbangers we are trying to region from nan neighborhoods of Providence."

Representative Enrique Sanchez talked to reporters astir his caller DUI apprehension earlier nan commencement of nan Rhode Island House convention connected Feb. 11, 2025. He is pictured astatine his table successful nan Rhode Island House chamber. (Kris Craig/The Providence Journal/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Mendoza primitively entered nan U.S. illegally adjacent San Ysidro, California, successful May 2019 and was quickly returned to Mexico. However, officials opportunity he later re-entered nan state unlawfully astatine an chartless clip and place.

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Sanchez, who has powerfully opposed immigration enforcement, taunted ICE agents connected Sunday aft a farmworker died from injuries sustained from a autumn during an migration enforcement ambush connected a California cannabis farm. 

"F*** ICE," Sanchez wrote. "Vallanse a la chingada ICE."

"State Representative Enrique Sanchez (D), who was arrested for DUI earlier this year, calls ICE agents "Nazi Gestapo thugs" successful an online rant aft an MS-13 pack personnel facing fentanyl charges was arrested pinch a grin crossed his face," Libs of TikTok commented connected Sanchez's statements.

"Just Democrats supporting criminal alien gangs complete American citizens." 

In 2023, Sanchez revenge RI H5461, a measure to springiness illegal immigrants nan correct to ballot successful nan state. However, nan measure was tabled for further study a period aft it was introduced. 

Fox News Digital's Peter D'Abrosca contributed to this report.