On Monday, July 7, a disturbing video surfaced from the Walmart at Coors and I‑40. It shows federal ICE agents confronting and tasing a man inside the store. He screams as he’s brought to the ground. Witnesses say he hit his head. A Walmart employee is seen trying to stop a bystander from filming the encounter.

That man is Deivi José Molina‑Pena, a 33-year-old Venezuelan immigrant living in Albuquerque under Temporary Protected Status. He was working as a Spark driver, picking up a grocery order as part of Walmart’s delivery service when agents moved in.

According to ICE, Molina‑Pena fled into the store to evade arrest and posed an immediate threat. But his family says he called his roommate later that night, disoriented and in pain. He reportedly didn’t know where he was and complained of severe memory loss. That was the last contact they had. As of now, he remains in ICE custody and has been hospitalized for evaluation. His loved ones fear he suffered a concussion or other serious injuries and have received no official updates. This is unacceptable. 

This wasn’t just an arrest—it was an aggressive use of force in a public place where families shop and workers earn their paychecks. It raises serious concerns. Was a taser really necessary? Why did ICE choose to make this arrest inside a crowded store? Why hasn’t Molina‑Pena’s condition or location been shared with his family?

And what about Walmart? Their employee told someone filming the incident to stop. The company hasn’t addressed the situation or explained how it will protect customers, workers, or delivery drivers from future harm.

As Democrats in Bernalillo County, we believe in dignity, due process, and community safety. What happened at Coors and I‑40 shouldn’t happen anywhere—especially not here. But it reflects exactly the kind of enforcement that extremist plans like Project 2025 would ramp up nationwide: more raids, fewer rights, and a system that treats immigrants as disposable.

We can’t let this moment pass without action. We must demand answers from ICE. We must call on Walmart to clarify their role and protect the people who walk through their doors. We must support local immigrant justice organizations.

And we must organize. Join us this Wednesday at 5:30 PM for our weekly phone bank. Together, we’re connecting with voters, telling the truth, and building a Bernalillo County where people come first—no matter where they’re from or what job they do.