Legal Battle: Immigrant Shot During Arrest Remains in Custody

Tue Apr 21 2026 00:26:04 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, shot multiple times by ICE officers during an arrest, is facing serious charges but claims he never intended to harm anyone as he fights to stay in the U.S.

Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, a dual citizen of El Salvador and Mexico, has been ordered to remain in custody by a judge after being shot by ICE officers during an arrest in California. Mendoza is charged with assaulting a federal officer after allegedly trying to flee law enforcement. His lawyer argues he panicked and denied being part of any gang, citing past acquittals on murder charges. The incident raises questions about the actions of federal agents and the treatment of immigrants under current policies. Mendoza's next court date is in May.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A judge on Monday ruled that Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, who was shot multiple times during an arrest by immigration officers, must remain in custody due to concerns he could flee.

Mendoza holds dual citizenship from El Salvador and Mexico and faces charges for allegedly striking a federal officer with his car before reversing into a law enforcement vehicle on April 7.

His lawyer, Patrick Kolasinski, insists that Mendoza was acting out of panic and did not intend to harm anyone. He contest claims that Mendoza is linked to gangs, pointing to Salvadoran court documents that show his acquittal on murder charges.

Mendoza, who has undergone several surgeries due to gunshot wounds from the incident, is scheduled to appear in court again in early May. The event highlights ongoing concerns over ICE’s aggressive tactics and the scrutiny faced by immigration enforcement actions.