Oshkosh Teacher Detained by ICE After Removal Order

Oshkosh Spanish teacher Wendy Mendez was arrested by ICE in Milwaukee on Oct. 14 and is being held pending deportation after an immigration judge ordered her removed for missing a hearing. Federal officials say she entered the U.S. legally on a temporary basis in 2020, overstayed her visa and received due process. Mendez’s friend says the hearing notice went to an outdated address despite immigration authorities having the family’s current address, and reports that lawyers filed evidence of the mailing error and that a motion was accepted; those details have not been independently confirmed by one outlet. The school district placed Mendez on unpaid leave, describing her as an employee in good standing and saying the case is unrelated to safety or job performance; it has made counselors and other support available to students. ICE says Mendez will remain in custody while removal proceeds and has promoted a $3,000 payment and free flight for people who self-deport.