Woonsocket mom detained at Logan Airport after trip to Cape Verde

BOSTON (WPRI) — Woonsocket resident Eva Helena Mendes was returning from a trip to her native Cape Verde when the unthinkable happened.

The mother of six, who left the country to attend her brother’s funeral, was detained on Nov. 5 by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Boston Logan International Airport.

Her sister Arlete Lattin, who was traveling with her, witnessed the entire ordeal.

“She looked very worried as she was walking,” Lattin recalled. “There was an officer behind her, and as she passed me, I asked, ‘is everything OK?’ and she said, ‘no, I have to go with him.'”

Lattin later learned that her sister was being held on a warrant, but that state police would be picking her up the following morning to clear it.

Mendes’ attorney Todd Pomerleau told 12 News that never happened.

“CBP has been holding her now for nearly two weeks,” Pomerleau said. “She’s never been served with a written notice. I’m not entirely sure why she’s being detained.”

Pomerleau believes the warrant may be connected to an old shoplifting charge, but he hasn’t been able to speak with Mendes directly to figure out exactly why she’s being detained.

He’s also unsure why there would be a detainer lodged against Mendes since she’s been a legal permanent resident of the United States for decades.

“She’s been a Green Card holder since she was 8 years old,” he said. “She’s now 48 years old.”

Lattin explained that her sister checked with an immigration office before she left and was told she’d have no problem traveling.

“She wouldn’t have left if she knew there were any problems with her papers, her Green Card, her record,” Lattin said. “This is where she calls home.”

Mendes’ longtime partner Jose Dejesus told 12 News her family misses her.

“I just want her to come home to her family where she belongs,” Dejesus said. “The kids want her home so bad.”

“I don’t know what to tell my kids. I just keep saying she’ll be home soon,” he added. “It’s killing me inside.”

Dejesus said he’s spoken with Mendes by phone and while she seems OK, he’s still not sure what to think.

“I didn’t get to see her face,” he said. “I don’t know what condition she’s in.”

U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns has ordered CBP not to remove Mendes from Massachusetts without notifying the court in advance. He’s also given CBP until Monday to explain why she’s being detained.

12 News reached out to CBP regarding Mendes’ situation but has not yet heard back.

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