ICE Agents' Rough Takedown of Man and Wife Sparks Seizure Controversy

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A disturbing video has emerged showing a Massachusetts man appearing to have a seizure during a confrontation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as they attempted to arrest his wife. The incident occurred during a targeted operation in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, on Thursday morning. Carlos Zapata, 24, claims that he lost consciousness after agents pushed and hit him, and pressed on his neck. He was driving his wife, Juliana Milena Ojeda-Montoya, and their 1 ½-year-old daughter to her job at Burger King when they were stopped. Bystanders witnessed the chaotic scene and shouted for medical help as they recorded the confrontation on video. According to Zapata, the agents were pushing him and his wife together with the child between them, and he blacked out after they pressed on his neck. ICE officials, however, dispute Zapata's account, accusing him of faking the medical emergency to prevent his wife's arrest. Ojeda-Montoya was wanted for allegedly stabbing a coworker with scissors in August. She is currently in custody pending removal proceedings. The Department of Homeland Security released a statement saying that medical personnel found no legitimate medical emergency and that Zapata was seen on video being coherent moments later. The statement also accused Zapata of faking the seizure to help his wife escape justice. Zapata and his wife are from Ecuador and entered the country unlawfully several years ago. They have since applied for asylum and are authorized to work. The incident has sparked controversy and raised questions about the use of force by ICE agents during arrests.