Del. Maldonado Says She's Troubled By Reports A Minor Was Handcuffed By ICE In Manassas

MANASSAS, VA – Virginia State Delegate Michelle Maldonado (D-Manassas Park) expressed concern about recent immigration raids in Manassas in a statement issued Monday.

Fox News reported that Marvin Len Morales was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in a raid on Friday for which Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin was present. According to their report, Morales has a criminal record and has been deported twice before.

Little else has been published about the raid, and ICE has not issued a statement.

The statement from Maldonado implies that children were impacted by the raid. “We are deeply concerned by reports of a recent ICE raid in Manassas involving the detention of individuals not charged with a crime, including a minor child,” she wrote.

“Public safety efforts must be carried out with transparency and a respect for human dignity. The reports that a 14-year-old was handcuffed and detained during this raid are deeply troubling and reflect a reckless disregard for human decency, the trauma caused, and the rule of law.” Children and others not targeted by law enforcement should be treated according to constitutional protections, she continued.

Maldonado called for arrests and other law enforcement measures to proceed through appropriate legal channels.

Maldonado represents Virginia’s 20th House District and lives in Manassas Park. She announced her resignation from Virginia’s House of Delegates earlier in May.