Martin Diaz, a longtime Spokane resident and construction business owner, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents outside his North Spokane home on Tuesday, despite having an active and approved green card petition. His family and immigration advocates are raising alarm about the aggressive tactics used during the arrest and the broader implications for immigrant communities in the region.
Diaz, who arrived in the U.S. as a toddler in the early 1990s with his family, has spent the majority of his life in the United States. He and his wife, Kendall, launched a construction company together in 2022 and have been pursuing legal avenues to resolve his immigration status since he turned 18. Most recently, on April 11, U.S. immigration authorities approved his green card petition. However, Diaz still has a 2008 deportation order on his record, which his legal team has been working to remove.
On the morning of his arrest, Diaz noticed he was being followed by unmarked vehicles. He parked near his home around 8:30 a.m. and attempted to reach the safety of his backyard, but was pursued by federal agents — some in plain clothes and one in a Border Patrol uniform. Security footage posted by his wife on Facebook shows agents chasing him across his lawn and forcibly detaining him near his patio.
Neighbors and the couple’s roommate were alarmed by the chaotic arrest. One of the agents, whose shorts had slipped down during the scuffle, barked orders at the roommate, warning him not to interfere. Despite never presenting a warrant, the agents handcuffed Diaz and took him away, saying he would be deported to Mexico, where he was born.
Diaz’s family and legal advocates are questioning the legality of the arrest. Jennyfer Mesa, founder of the nonprofit Latinos en Spokane, said ICE often conducts arrests without valid judicial warrants. “They’re using administrative warrants, which don’t carry legal weight in private residences,” she said. Mesa argued that this approach undermines due process and community safety. “We’re seeing a level of militarization in Spokane that should worry everyone,” she added.
ICE spokesperson David Yost told RANGE that in some cases agents rely on “foreign warrants” or may not need a traditional warrant depending on the circumstances. However, he offered no specific information about Diaz’s case and declined to say whether proper protocol was followed.
This incident is not isolated. Reports of aggressive ICE activity across the U.S. — including arrests outside schools, homes, and public spaces — have increased, particularly under immigration enforcement strategies deployed during the Trump administration. In some instances, even U.S. citizens have been mistakenly targeted and detained.
Also Read – West Virginia Lawmaker Draws Criticism for Thumbs Up at El Salvador Prison with U.S. Deportees
Following his arrest, Diaz was taken to the Kootenai County Jail in Idaho, which holds ICE detainees when federal facilities reach capacity. His current whereabouts are unclear, as such transfers are often made without notifying family members.
Kendall Diaz, an American citizen, addressed a crowd of about 2,000 demonstrators on May 1 during a May Day march for immigrant and labor rights. The protest began at the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and ended in front of the ICE facility where Diaz was initially processed.
“I haven’t spoken to him in two days,” Kendall told the crowd. “I don’t even know where he is for sure. They’re using my tax dollars to take my husband away from our home.”
She expressed deep concern not just for her husband, but for immigrant families across Spokane facing similar threats. “They’re being ripped out of their homes, out of their workplaces. Families are being broken apart, and it’s happening every day.”
Kendall said she and Martin had worked tirelessly for years to resolve his immigration status, facing repeated bureaucratic obstacles. Their first green card application was delayed due to paperwork being sent to the wrong address. After reapplying, they had been hopeful when they received confirmation in April that the federal government was finally moving to remove Martin’s deportation order.
Martin Diaz is known in the community for his generosity and commitment to helping others. Jorge Guerrero, a longtime friend and senior organizer at Latinos en Spokane, said Martin recently purchased a bus to transport people struggling with addiction to a remote treatment center. Guerrero now plans to step in and make the trip himself.
“Martin’s always been someone who gives back,” Guerrero said. “He’s the kind of person who doesn’t hesitate to help others. Now we need to be there for him.”
Mesa and other advocates are calling on local officials to speak out against ICE practices and to demand that immigration cases be handled locally — not in facilities out of state. “Washington residents deserve to have their legal proceedings take place where they live,” Mesa said.
The case of Martin Diaz is a stark reminder of the fragility of the U.S. immigration system and the precarious situation faced by many immigrants — even those following the legal path to residency.