OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Wendy Mendez, a teacher at Vel Phillips Middle School, was arrested by ICE and is in the process of being deported after not showing up for an immigration hearing.
According to ICE, Mendez is an illegal alien from Costa Rica. She was taken into custody on Oct. 14.
ICE said:
On August 10, 2020, Mendez legally entered the United States on a temporary basis, but in violation of our laws, failed to depart by February 9, 2021. On February 18, 2026, she was placed into removal proceedings, and on September 9, was ordered removed by an immigration judge for failing to show up for her removal proceedings. She received due process and will remain in custody pending her removal from the United States.
The Oshkosh Area School District confirmed Mendez works for the district.
The district wrote:
Under district policy and applicable privacy regulations, the Oshkosh Area School District does not comment on confidential personnel or individual employee matters. However, given the public nature of this situation, we can confirm that Wendy Mendez, a Spanish teacher at Vel Phillips Middle School, is an employee in good standing who has been placed on an unpaid leave of absence due to unforeseen circumstances. At no point was this a school safety or performance-related issue. Our primary focus remains on supporting our students and staff and keeping learning moving forward in our classrooms.
According to a Facebook post by Deb Nez, who states she is Mendez’s friend, a mailing error about the hearing led to the arrest.
“They had no knowledge of that because the court sent the notice to their previous address from more that 3 years ago. USCIS had their new address within days of them moving to the new house. This was not the first time that USCIS had made that mistake. All of the proof needed to show the Immigration Court the error in the notification has been presented by the lawyers and the motion has been accepted by the court as of yesterday. Now it is a matter of how long it takes a judge to see it and make a decision,” Nez wrote.
While ICE did not disclose Mendez’ location, Nez also addressed that.
“She has been in 6 detention centers in 8 days. Wisconsin-Chicago-Kentucky-Louisiana-Texas .She has barely slept during this time. They told her last night that she was going to Costa Rica, but we were told by attorney that is not true because she has a stay of removal in place,” Nez wrote.
Nez said Mendez moved to the area six years ago, is married and has two sons.
The details in Nez’s post have not yet been officially confirmed.
ICE said Mendez could choose to be deported:
Being in detention is a choice. We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $3,000 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.
