Oshkosh middle school teacher arrested by ICE for overstaying visa

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 17:33 · Archive

Wendy Mendez, a teaching assistant at an Oshkosh middle school, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is in detention facing deportation.

Wendy Mendez, a teaching assistant in the English Speakers of Other Languages programme at Vel Phillips Middle School in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on 14 October in Milwaukee and is now in detention awaiting deportation.

ICE states that Mendez came to the United States from Costa Rica on a temporary basis in August 2020 and was supposed to depart in February 2021. The agency says removal proceedings began in February this year. On 9 September, an immigration judge ordered her removal from the country after she failed to appear for proceedings.

The Oshkosh Area School District described Mendez as 'an employee in good standing' and noted that she was named an Oshkosh School District Employee of the Year in 2025. The district placed her on unpaid administrative leave 'due to unforeseen circumstances' and stated that 'at no point was this a school safety or performance-related issue'. The district told families at Vel Phillips Middle School that counselors and support staff are available to help students.

How it is being reported

• Oshkosh middle school teacher arrested by ICE, faces deportationICE says Wendy Mendez overstayed her visit to the U.S. since 2021.WSAW · 27 Oct, 16:58
• Oshkosh middle school teacher arrested by ICE, faces deportationICE says Wendy Mendez overstayed her visit to the U.S. since 2021.WBAY · 27 Oct, 16:47

In this story: Wendy Mendez · Immigration and Customs Enforcement · Oshkosh Area School District · Vel Phillips Middle School · Costa Rica · United States · Oshkosh · Wisconsin

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