Marimar Martinez, a Chicago woman who was shot five times by a Border Patrol agent in October 2023, plans to attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address later this month. Her attorney, Christopher Parente, confirmed her attendance in a court filing on Thursday, stating that she will be a guest of U.S. Representative Jesus Chuy Garcia, a Democrat from Chicago.
Martinez’s presence at the event is expected to attract significant attention. She has emerged as a vocal advocate for victims of immigration enforcement, particularly after she described herself as a “voice” for René Good and Alex Pretti, two U.S. citizens who were fatally shot by immigration agents in January. “How many more lives must be lost before meaningful action is taken?” Martinez expressed during a recent Senate forum.
The backdrop to Martinez’s attendance is complex. Following the incident in which she was shot by Border Patrol agent Charles Exum, she faced an assault charge that was later dismissed by the U.S. attorney’s office. The legal proceedings have since revolved around the release of body camera footage from the shooting, which took place during a confrontation on October 4, 2023. A judge is currently deliberating whether to allow the release of this footage, which captures events leading up to the incident but does not show the shooting itself.
Prosecutors have indicated they will not oppose the request to lift the protective order on the bodycam video. They have argued that releasing the footage could clarify the circumstances of the incident. However, they oppose the release of communications from Exum, asserting that such disclosures would unfairly tarnish his reputation without benefiting Martinez.
Parente contends that the sealed materials contradict Exum’s account of the events on the day of the shooting and challenge the narrative established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) branding Martinez as a “domestic terrorist.” “To attempt to withhold these messages, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is failing in its duty to always ‘do the right thing,’” he stated.
U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis has been critical of the government’s handling of the case, particularly regarding its continued portrayal of Martinez. During a recent hearing, she questioned why the DHS had not revised its public statements about her, noting that the issue has even influenced decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court. “I’m hard-pressed to credit the idea that DHS couldn’t change the narrative around this incident if they set their mind to it,” she remarked.
Martinez’s legal team has raised concerns about potential evidence tampering, especially regarding Exum’s conduct following the incident. They allege he was allowed to transport his vehicle, involved in the shooting, back to his home base without proper scrutiny. This vehicle is now part of an ongoing investigation by the U.S. attorney’s office in South Bend, Indiana.
In her testimony before the Senate forum organized by Senator Richard Blumenthal, Martinez highlighted her commitment to speaking out for those who have suffered at the hands of federal agents. “Sorry, you’re not a domestic terrorist, that’s it,” she said, expressing a desire for the federal government to retract its statements about her.
As the legal situation continues to unfold, Martinez remains a figure of significant public interest. Her upcoming attendance at the State of the Union address promises to amplify her message and the call for accountability in immigration enforcement practices.
