On July 20, about 100 demonstrators gathered outside the Walmart near Coors Boulevard and Interstate 40 in Albuquerque, protesting the recent arrest of a delivery worker by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The protest was sparked by a widely circulated video showing ICE officers tasing and detaining a man while he cries out for help.
The individual in the video has been identified as 33-year-old Deivi Jose Molina-Pena, a Venezuelan national who entered the U.S. two years ago under Temporary Protected Status. He was reportedly working as a delivery driver at the time of the incident. His current location within ICE custody is unclear, and ICE has not publicly responded to inquiries.
Walmart has chosen not to comment on the arrest or the surrounding circumstances. Protesters voiced concerns over workplace safety and immigrant rights, chanting slogans like “Burque over billionaires” and urging companies to shield their workers from federal enforcement operations.
Janyce Cardenas, one of the protest organizers, called on Walmart and other retailers to establish protected areas for delivery workers. “These spaces shouldn’t become hunting grounds for ICE,” she said, emphasizing the need for employers to take responsibility for worker safety.
The Albuquerque Police Department (APD) was reportedly unaware of the ICE operation until after it happened. Gilbert Gallegos, APD’s Director of Communications, stated that federal officials only notified the department later, suggesting that the event could attract media attention due to the use of force involved.
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Though APD does not engage in immigration enforcement, Gallegos said the department maintains open communication with Homeland Security. Police Chief Harold Medina clarified during a press event that while the department works closely with federal law enforcement, it does not share information with ICE nor participate in immigration raids.
This isn’t the first time such arrests have occurred in the region. On June 5, ICE agents detained over a dozen delivery workers from various Latin American countries at the Rio Rancho Walmart, raising broader concerns about targeted enforcement at job sites.
Medina added that residents who observe people being detained by individuals with no visible law enforcement identification should contact the police immediately. Dispatchers, he said, are able to confirm the legitimacy of federal operations if asked.
In response to growing concerns, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller signed an executive order on July 21 reinforcing the city’s commitment to immigrant protections. The directive, created with support from the Office of Equity and Inclusion, prohibits city resources from being used in federal civil immigration enforcement unless legally required.
Under the order, city employees and departments cannot assist with raids, detentions, or information-sharing efforts related to immigration status. The directive also affirms Albuquerque’s status as an immigrant-friendly city and outlines that public safety in shared spaces must not be compromised by aggressive enforcement tactics.
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While the city lacks legal authority to intervene in federal ICE actions, it promises to support the public by verifying enforcement activity when needed. The mayor’s order also commits to prosecuting anyone impersonating law enforcement in connection with fraudulent or violent acts.
ICE did not respond to media requests regarding the July arrest in time for publication. Gallegos reiterated that APD aims to foster trust with all community members, including immigrants. “Our mission is to focus on public safety without regard to immigration status,” he said.
