'We are human': Saco man speaks out about experience after being detained by ICE

SACO (WGME) – A man in Saco who was detained by ICE in January is speaking out about his experience.

Makengo Nzeza says he was detained by ICE after leaving First Parish Congregational in Saco.

"After they pulled over, I found six officers, ICE officer, they received on my car and they pointed a gun and they asked me the identification," Nzeza said over a facetime call Monday.

Nzeza says he was on his way to see his wife, who was recovering from a cesarean section, and their newborn child who was in the NICU. Instead, he found himself being taken out of state to the Burlington, Massachusetts ICE facility.

"The condition was not good. We was sleeping on the floor, and there was no good sanitation," Nzeza said.

Nzeza says he spent several days at the Burlington ICE facility, where he was given no pillow or blanket, just a "paper sheet "and little food and water. He was later transferred to the Plymouth, Massachusetts Correctional Facility, where Nzeza says the conditions were better.

"I was upset, you know, we are human," Nzeza said.

Nzeza says he and his family sought asylum shortly after coming to the U.S. He was told by federal agents that he overstayed his visa.

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Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin released a statement shortly after Nzeza was detained, saying in part:

"On January 23, ICE arrested Mackengo [sic] Nzeza, an illegal alien from Angola. On December 5, 2017, he entered the U.S. on a tourist visa that required him to leave the U.S. by June 4, 2018. All of his claims will be heard before an immigration judge. This administration is not going to ignore the rule of law."

However, DHS never listed any criminal charges.

A similar situation played out for other Mainers detained during "Operation Catch of the Day."

Sean Chatterjee, an immigration attorney based out of Boston, says he helped four Mainers get out of ICE detention centers.

"All of my clients had zero criminal history whatsoever," Chatterjee said.

Chatterjee says his clients had bails set anywhere from $3,000-$6,000. They then had legal fees on top of that.

"All of my clients have been traumatized. It's impossible not to go through this without having some trauma. And all of them are just worried that ICE is gonna go after them again," Chatterjee said.

CBS13 asked DHS Monday, "Of all the people arrested in Maine during 'Operation Catch of the Day,' how many have been released?"

We have not heard back.

As for Nzeza, he says his wife and baby are back home healthy and recovering.

"I am worried about them [federal agents] for my kids now," Nzeza said when asked if he is worried about ICE making another surge in Maine.

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