ICE Pursuits in Providence Raise Oversight Questions

Crashes involving ICE agents highlight policy concerns and lack of transparency

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Two automobile crashes in Providence in 2025 involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel have raised major questions about the oversight and accountability of ICE's vehicle pursuits. The crashes, which caused damage to private property, have prompted investigations by the Providence External Review Authority into ICE's policies and the handling of the incidents by local police.

Why it matters

The incidents highlight the tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local law enforcement, as well as concerns about the risks posed by ICE's pursuit policies to public safety. They also raise questions about transparency, as the Providence police reports redacted key information about the ICE agents involved.

The details

In the first crash, an ICE agent in a Dodge Ram pickup rear-ended a Toyota pickup and hit a parked sedan while pursuing a driver accused of fentanyl trafficking and illegal reentry. In the second crash, an unmarked ICE vehicle ran a red light and collided with another car, knocking down a utility pole. The Providence External Review Authority found that the pursuits did not meet the state police's criteria for high-speed chases, as the alleged offenses were civil immigration violations, not violent crimes.

  • The first crash occurred on Alverson Avenue in the Hartford neighborhood in July 2025.
  • The second crash happened at the intersection of Chalkstone Avenue and Raymond Street on October 14, 2025.

The players

Providence External Review Authority

A civilian oversight body established in 2002 to provide oversight on the Providence Police Department.

Mendoza Meza

A 27-year-old Honduran man who was the target of the ICE pursuit in the first crash, accused of fentanyl trafficking and illegal reentry.

James Covington

A spokesman for ICE Boston who accused Mendoza Meza of being an MS-13 gang member.

Ferenc Karoly

The executive director of the Providence External Review Authority, who contested the legality of the ICE pursuits.

Kristy dosReis

A Providence police spokeswoman who defended the redaction of names in the accident reports.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's absurd. The ICE personnel were enforcing a matter of civil immigration law and they did not have a criminal arrest warrant. The Review Authority's report says there was "no evidence" that Mendoza Meza posed an "imminent threat.”

— Ferenc Karoly, Executive Director, Providence External Review Authority

“The 6th District Court of Rhode Island ignored the ICE detainer and released him back into the community without notifying ICE. As a result, ICE officers had to arrest Mendoza at large in the community.”

— James Covington, Spokesman, ICE Boston

What’s next

The Providence External Review Authority is continuing its investigation into the ICE pursuits and the handling of the incidents by local police. The review authority is also examining the policies and procedures governing ICE vehicle pursuits.

The takeaway

These crashes highlight the need for greater transparency and oversight of ICE's enforcement activities, as well as the importance of clear policies and coordination between federal immigration authorities and local law enforcement to ensure public safety is the top priority.