Wisconsin Public Education Network and the Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools stand in solidarity with Wendy Mendez and call for expedited processing of her case and her immediate return to her family and devoted school community. 


Wisconsin Public Education Network and the Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools stand in solidarity with Wendy Mendez and call for expedited processing of her case and her immediate return to her family and devoted school community. 

Wendy Mendez is a beloved Spanish teacher, active community member and volunteer, and 2025 Oshkosh Area School District “employee of the year”. Mrs. Mendez lives in Oshkosh with her husband, a U.S. citizen. She came to the U.S. legally in 2020 with her husband and their two children, and has been in active proceedings with federal authorities since. She was granted a work permit and Social Security card in 2023 and her family “thought they were doing everything right” according to Wisconsin Public Radio reports. 

On October 14, Mrs. Mendez was unexpectedly abducted by ICE in Milwaukee during a spousal interview as part of their marriage-based Green Card application process. She was then detained in six facilities in eight days under inhumane conditions before being deported to Costa Rica on October 22. Four days into her detention, the couple’s I-130 petition was approved by authorities. She was deported to Costa Rica days later. 

Federal authorities claim Mrs. Mendez failed to appear at a Sept. 9 removal hearing, but the family says they knew nothing about this hearing, as notices were sent to an address they have not lived for years. The family updated their address with DHS on moving, and communications on their active application are delivered to their current address in Oshkosh. 

Public schools thrive when all of us feel safe, welcomed, and supported, and every member of our school communities deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. Abducting a beloved teacher over a misunderstanding creates unnecessary disruption, confusion, and a culture of fear and trauma that has a lasting negative impact on students, teachers, staff, and the entire community.

Department of Homeland Security and ICE officials must be held fully accountable for this overreach. Mrs Mendez’ application for marriage-based legal status in the U.S. has been approved since her detention and she must be immediately returned to the community she serves and loves.