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Conway community backs Juan Alatorre Martinez as ICE detention continues
Juan Alatorre Martinez remains in federal immigration custody months after ICE detained him outside a Conway store. His attorney says a required background check is delaying a decision on his release, while U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen is pressing officials to act.
CONWAY, Wash. — Juan Alatorre Martinez, known locally as the “unofficial mayor of Conway,” remains in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody after agents detained him in July. Community members and U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen are seeking action as Martinez awaits another court hearing, scheduled for Nov. 5.
Martinez had hoped to be released after an Oct. 8 hearing. His release is still pending a background check that immigration officials must complete before a judge can approve it, according to information provided about his case. His lawyer is also seeking approval of his green card before he is released.
The Department of Homeland Security said agents detained Martinez outside Super Duper Foods because of two prior arrests on his record. Martinez and his attorney say agents took the wrong person. Martinez recalled agents telling him, “I’m sorry it’s not you who we are looking for, but you’re here. So we will take you.”
ICE referred questions about the background check to the Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review, which had not responded to a request for comment as of Oct. 22.
Larsen has taken up Martinez’s case and said he would continue pressing federal authorities. “I will keep fighting to cement humanity into U.S. immigration policy and to make sure ICE follows the same rules as every other law enforcement agency,” the Washington representative said in a statement.
Support signs for Martinez are displayed inside and outside Super Duper Foods, where he was detained. Store owner Hanna Youssef said the ongoing ICE presence has discouraged customers from visiting. “I wish they would go after the criminals, not the hard-working people,” Youssef said. “Most of our community here are working people.”
Speaking from custody, Martinez said he wants to get out and asked people to share his situation. His continued detention has become a point of concern for residents in Conway, where neighbors are waiting for the next step in the immigration case.