A 27-year-old man being detained by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol in Maine since last week claims he’s an asylum seeker and has filed a court petition.
The Lewiston Sun Journal reports Richard Sanipatin is one 16 people called “migrant workers” by police who were detained by Border Patrol last week in Rangeley.
Sanipatin’s petition in federal court in Bangor says he’s been denied access to legal counsel and demands his immediate release and a ban on future detention.
He was arrested and detained as a passenger in a car that was reportedly speeding in Kennebec County.
Sanipatin is a native and citizen of Ecuador residing in Framingham, Massachusetts. His petition says his affirmative asylum application has been filed with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
It names as defendants U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Acting Director of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Pete Flores, CBP Chief Patrol Agent of Houlton Sector Juan Bernal and Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols.
