ICE Agents Accused of Posing as Electricians in Phoenix Arrest

Marisol López reported on September 9, 2026 that ICE agents posed as electricians to detain her husband Édgar Martínez, 33 years old, in Phoenix, Arizona, on August 15.

The agents allegedly used construction vests, tampered with an electrical box, and cut off electrical service before arresting Martínez without a court order.

Attorney Alma Rosa Nieto noted that this administration has been characterized by human rights violations and non-transparent tactics, which could result in legal litigation.

What happened during the arrest in Phoenix?

Allegedly dressed as electricians, federal ICE agents arrested a man in the backyard of his home in Phoenix, Arizona, according to his wife’s account. The detainee was identified as Édgar Martínez, 33 years old, who was arrested in the morning of August 15, 2026.

His wife, Marisol López, recounts that the agents arrived at their home and appeared to be workers performing repair work at a nearby house. «He came with a vest that looked like a construction or service vest, but it had nothing to do with it,» López said when describing the agents’ clothing.

According to the woman, the alleged agents even opened an electrical box at a residence while claiming they were performing repairs in the surrounding area. The situation reportedly also caused an interruption in the family’s electrical service.

Did the family have their electrical service cut off?

«Yes, they cut off our service, we were about to go to sleep because I was coming from work… when I arrived and the service was cut off,» López said. Martínez’s wife asserts that the agents did not present a court order and questions the tactics used to carry out the arrest.

She particularly questions the fact that they allegedly posed as public utility workers. This circumstance aggravates accusations about the method used to approach the detainee without raising suspicion. The family is now seeking answers about the legality of the operation and the exact circumstances of Martínez’s detention at his own residence.

What does the attorney say about these ICE tactics?

Attorney Alma Rosa Nieto, who is not related to the case, also explained the implications of immigration agents using this type of strategy to approach a person. «This administration has been characterized by violations of human and civil rights and non-transparent tactics. So, all of this will eventually be a good case for litigation,» she commented.

«They must have a court order to enter and, when they do it with deception, they are changing the laws,» the attorney added. Nieto emphasized that the use of deception to carry out immigration arrests raises serious legal questions about the validity of the procedure.

Immigration rights experts point out that ICE agents generally require a court order to enter private properties. The use of disguises or false identities to carry out arrests could constitute a violation of the detainee’s civil rights.

What background did Édgar Martínez have?