Alleged beating victim may be deported

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has confirmed Luis Mendonca, the man who has accused Providence police officers of a brutal beating , is being detained pending the outcome of immigration removal proceedings.

"By law, his significant criminal history makes him removable," Harold Ort, a Public Affairs Officer with ICE, confirmed through email Monday night. "He will receive due process as provided by the law."

Mendonca was released from the A.C.I. Monday.

In a lawsuit expected to be filed against the city of Providence, Mendonca claims he was in handcuffs when a Providence police officer repeatedly struck him with a flashlight until Mendonca fell into a coma.  The officer has been placed on desk duty.  The F.B.I. is investigating.

A video of the incident was aired by the Target 12 Investigators in December.