A tense scene unfolded Thursday morning in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested a woman on Kimball Street in front of her family.
Witnesses said the situation became chaotic when a man inside the car appeared to have a seizure during the arrest. Local residents quickly gathered, filming and shouting as the incident escalated.
🚨 Breaking: A man reportedly suffered a seizure as ICE agents arrested a woman on Kimball Street in Fitchburg Thursday morning.
Witnesses say the tense scene unfolded in front of a child.#ICE #Fitchburg #BreakingNews #Immigration #Massachusetts pic.twitter.com/HZEDNGUQCR
— LoudFact (@loudfactcom) November 7, 2025
Witnesses Describe a Disturbing Scene
Eighteen-year-old Michele Devoe said she was asleep when her mother, Crystal Devoe, woke her up, saying that ICE agents were outside. From their window, they saw multiple agents surrounding a car with a man, woman, and a small child inside.
“It made me feel gross,” Michele said. “I feel unsafe knowing ICE is around.”
By around 8:20 a.m., Fitchburg police had already been called to the scene twice to maintain order as tensions rose. According to police, a crowd had formed and emotions were running high as ICE agents attempted to remove the couple from the vehicle.
ICE Identifies Woman as Juliana Milena Ojeda-Montoya
Authorities later confirmed that the woman taken into custody was Juliana Milena Ojeda-Montoya, who the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) alleges was wanted for assaulting a coworker with scissors and a trash bin in August.
However, local court records in Fitchburg did not show any related arrest warrant or active case.
Witnesses claim ICE agents appeared uncertain about the couple’s identities at the time. “The guy kept saying there was a warrant, but he wouldn’t say what kind,” Crystal Devoe told reporters.
Man Allegedly Suffers Seizure While Holding Child
Witnesses said the man inside the car began to seize as agents attempted to pull him out. Michele recalled seeing an agent grab the man by the neck before his body started to shake and his eyes rolled back.
“After he seized, they brought him out of the car in handcuffs and took him to an ambulance,” Michele said. “A little later, they brought him back to his own car.”
The baby was unharmed, and both the man and child were later allowed to leave.
Police Confirm ICE Operation Ended Peacefully
According to Fitchburg Police, the ICE operation concluded at 8:57 a.m., with Ojeda-Montoya taken into federal custody. Police emphasized that their role was only to ensure public safety and prevent escalation.
No local arrests were made, and ICE officials have not released additional details about the status of Ojeda-Montoya or the man involved.
Community Reaction and Ongoing Concerns
The incident has reignited debate over ICE’s enforcement tactics and community safety in Massachusetts. Residents expressed fear and frustration, saying such operations traumatize families and create distrust.
Michele and Crystal Devoe said the experience left them shaken. “It was terrifying to watch,” Crystal said. “They didn’t even tell us what was going on.”
