SPOKANE, Wash. — Border Patrol agents arrested a Spokane man who has been in the U.S. since he was a toddler, prompting outcry from the local community.
Last week, Martin Diaz was driving home from work at the construction company he owns when he realized Border Patrol agents were outside his house.
Video captured by a Ring doorbell camera shows Martin running toward his home and being tackled to the ground by agents in his front yard.
“It’s just scary, because all of a sudden, my entire life has been ripped apart. I don’t know when I’m going to see him again,” said his wife, Kendall Diaz.
Kendall is a U.S. citizen and said Martin has been in the United States since he was about one-and-a-half.
Records show Martin is now on a Border Patrol hold at the Kootenai County Jail.
Kendall said she spoke with him on the phone on Wednesday.
“He explained to me that he had been in a medical holding and I asked him what was wrong. He broke down and started crying and then the call cut off,” she said.
That’s the last time she heard of him.
“He’s a human being, and he’s been treated like an animal,” Kendall said.
Public records show Martin pleaded guilty to criminal mischief in 2017 after an altercation with his former father-in-law. He was ordered to serve one day in jail.
Kendall said he also has an assault charge from the early 2008 when he was 18-years-old. She said, over the years, they have tried to get Martin legal status, but she thinks the case has hindered their attempts.
“He’s a loving person, he doesn’t hurt people,” Kendall said.
Aside from the 2017 case, 4 News Now found no other criminal charges against Martin. His 2008 case is listed in his criminal history in documents from the 2017 case.
“There are rapists and murderers on the street who are free and they’re U.S. citizens, and they have more rights than my husband who doesn’t harm anyone,” Kendall said.
Border Patrol declined to comment on Martin’s case, citing an ongoing investigation.
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