(NewsNation) — The city council of Providence, Rhode Island, has ordered an investigation into its police department after video circulated online of local officers assisting federal immigration officers in an arrest.
On Sunday, officials arrested Ivan Rene Mendoza Meza, 27, after a car crash involving an unmarked car driven by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. Federal officers were already in pursuit of Mendoza Meza.
ICE spokesperson James Covington told NewsNation affiliate WPRI the man is “a self-admitted member of MS-13″ in his native country of Honduras. MS-13 is an international gang designated by the U.S. State Department as a foreign terrorist organization.
Providence police released body-camera footage of the arrest, which spread on social media, prompting responses from state lawmakers and citizens.
A civilian oversight board that looks into police misconduct allegations will review the incident, the city council ordered on Tuesday.
City councilmembers wrote a letter to the police department, saying, “The presence of Providence Police officers next to ICE agents during the detainment has deeply disturbed the community.”
But the mayor said early reviews suggest what happened was by the book.
“Preliminarily, we believe that policy was followed in that instance, although it certainly was jarring video that I saw,” said Mayor Brett Smiley at a news conference.
He assured the community that local police officers “will not cooperate or serve as immigration agents,” and said, in this case, officers “acted in accordance with our existing policy.”
“Our officers remained at the scene to ensure the safety of residents and to maintain order,” Providence’s police chief, Col. Oscar Perez, said at a news conference. “Let me repeat that: to ensure the safety of residents and to maintain work consistent with our responsibility to the public.”
Democratic state Rep. Charlene Lima told NewsNation’s “On Balance with Leland Vittert” that ICE should be praised.
“In fact, there would be penalties if they didn’t help them,” Lima said. “I don’t care if you’re a Democrat or Republican or a chicken. Our job is to keep our streets safe, not be criticizing the people who are helping us.”
Democratic state Rep. Enrique Sanchez referred to ICE agents as the “Nazi Gestapo” and “ICE thugs” on social media.
“They think they are above the law. I strongly condemn this act of terror, and I will be demanding answers and seeking action,” Sanchez wrote. “I’m tired of this s—. Providence doesn’t want ICE thugs in our city.”
Mendoza Meza has three fentanyl trafficking charges, according to ICE. He illegally entered the United States and was subsequently arrested by U.S. Border Patrol in May 2019. Officials said he then returned to the U.S. illegally at an unknown date.