Feb. 22, 2026, 1:46 p.m. ETThe Department of Homeland Security says a Nashville plumber arrested by ICE Feb. 17 did not present a driver's license and had two previous arrests for driving without a license.Both those arrests were dismissed, according to Nashville's criminal court records.The DHS statement comes amid an outpouring of support for Juan Martin Espindola Ramirez, 27, who has been in ICE custody since his arrest on Nolensville Pike in South Nashville. As of Feb. 22, a GoFundMe page has raised about $9,000 on behalf of Espindola, who has two sons, one of them a newborn, at home with his partner Juana Bautista, and towards his legal defense.According to Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County Criminal Court records, Espindola was arrested May 5, 1998 on a charge of driving without a license. On July 27, 1998, that case was dismissed. Espindola was arrested again on another charge of driving without a license on Feb. 4, 2019, and the case was dismissed May 2, 2019, records show.What did the Department of Homeland Security say about Juan Espindola's arrest?On Feb. 21, DHS released a statement in response to a post by NewsChannel 5, which first reported Espindola's arrest:"On February 17, ICE arrested Juan Espindola-Ramirez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico. During a vehicle stop, Espindola-Ramirez refused to exit his vehicle when officers requested him to do so. ICE officers removed him from his vehicle. During the stop, he continued to resist arrest and attempted to run away from officers. ICE safely took Espindola-Ramirez into custody."Espindola-Ramirez did NOT present any form of a driver license during the encounter. He has two previous arrests in 2018 and 2019 by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department for driving without a license. He will receive full due process and remain in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings."He was granted work authorization by the Biden administration. To be clear work authorization does not confer any legal status in this country."Espindola and his family says he has no criminal background and showed his documentationEspindola told NewsChannel 5 he has a driver's license and work permit. He said he was born in Mexico and has been in the United States for 10 years. He said he was the victim of a crime, and was given a U visa, which is for people who help police prosecute criminals. Espindola said he hired an attorney and applied for a green card.He is still waiting for his green card.Victoria Villanueva, who is Bautista's sister, wrote on the GoFundMe page: "Juan Martin Espindola Ramirez is a devoted husband, father, and my brother-in-law. He has always worked hard to provide for his family, including his wife Juana Bautista and their two sons, the youngest being a 10-day-old newborn. Everything he ever does is for his family. Martin has zero criminal background and has always followed the law. Despite being here legally and showing his documentation, Martin was recently forcibly and wrongfully detained by ICE. ICE broke the windows to his van to get to him, showing no regard for his rights or the well-being of his family."Where is Juan Martin Espindola now?In an update on the GoFundMe Page, Bautista says Espindola arrived Friday in Louisiana where ICE has several detention centers.In their statement ICE said Espindola "will receive full due process and remain in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings."