The East Falmouth woman accused of assaulting a man wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat in a Mexican restaurant last month was arrested by federal immigration officials Tuesday.
Rosiane Santos, 41, was arrested by deportation officers with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement fugitive operations team, ICE spokesman John Mohan said in a statement. She was later released from ICE custody and given a notice to appear before an immigration judge, according to a second, updated statement.
Santos is a citizen of Brazil and is in this country unlawfully, according to the statements.
“Santos is currently facing local charges for assault and other offenses,” Mohan wrote. “She … has been entered into removal proceedings before the federal immigration courts.”
Santos was arrested by Falmouth police Feb. 15 after she allegedly assaulted a man wearing a hat bearing the campaign slogan of President Donald Trump at Casa Vallarta, a Mexican restaurant on Davis Straits.
The man told police he was minding his own business when Santos began verbally assaulting him because of the hat. The man pulled out his phone and recorded the incident, and Santos is seen walking behind him and hitting the hat off his head, according to a police report.
She told police the man should not have been allowed to eat in a Mexican restaurant, the report says. Police said she showed signs of intoxication.
Trump has repeatedly made disparaging remarks about Mexico and during his campaign pledged he would erect a southern border wall and have that country pay for it.
Police escorted Santos from the restaurant, but on her way out she hit the man over the head again, the report says.
She pleaded not guilty Feb. 20 in Falmouth District Court to charges of assault and battery and disorderly conduct. She was released on her own recognizance.
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