Former ‘Undocumented’ Gay Judge Steps Down Following FBI Raid [WATCH]

Central Falls Municipal Court Judge Joseph Molina Flynn, the first formerly undocumented judge in Rhode Island, resigned from his position on Thursday after the FBI raided his downtown Providence immigration law office.

The reasons for the raid have not been disclosed.

The raid took place earlier in the day at Molina Flynn Law Offices, located in downtown Providence.

FBI, Homeland Security agents raid office of well known Providence immigration lawyer. pic.twitter.com/G2XD7nwLUo

— Brian Crandall (@nbc10_brian) January 23, 2025

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Multiple black SUVs, Providence police cruisers, and federal agents were seen outside the building during the operation.

Homeland Security agents were among those who entered the office.

Video footage shared on social media by NBC 10 reporter Brian Crandall showed agents carrying boxes of paperwork and computers wrapped in pink evidence bags out of the office.

Federal agents take boxes of files out of the of office of Providence lawyer Joseph Molina Flynn, who specializes in immigration work.
FBI and US Attorney’s office won’t say what raid is focused on.
But it appears it had been in the works for a while, not the last few days. pic.twitter.com/koEVJnud5j

— Brian Crandall (@nbc10_brian) January 23, 2025

Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera responded to the incident, expressing concern over the situation.

“As the Central Falls community knows, transparency and accountability are priorities of mine,” Rivera told WPRI 12.

She announced that Molina Flynn had resigned his position “to uphold the integrity and focus of the municipal court.”

Rivera, who appointed Molina Flynn in 2021, also stated that Associate Judge Robert McConnell would temporarily preside over cases at the Central Falls Municipal Court.

The FBI has not yet revealed the purpose of the raid. A spokesperson for U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha’s office, Jim Martin, confirmed “court-authorized activity” at Molina Flynn’s office but declined to provide further details.

According to Rhode Island Courts spokesperson Lexi Kriss, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel is aware of the raid, but no criminal charges have been filed against the attorney as of now.

Molina Flynn, originally from Medellín, Colombia, came to the United States at the age of 9 on a tourist visa.

He lived in the U.S. for 15 years as an undocumented immigrant before obtaining lawful permanent resident status and eventually U.S. citizenship.

He attended Johnson and Wales University and later graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in Ann Arbor.

In 2015, Molina Flynn founded his law practice, Molina Flynn Law Offices, focusing on immigration, family, and criminal law.

His firm operates locations in Boston and Providence.

In addition to his work as a lawyer, he serves as an adjunct professor at Roger Williams University Law School, where he teaches a course called “Crimmigration.”

This is a different “crimmigation” law office explaining what “crimmigation” is.

“Don’t let criminal charges disrupt your dream.”

Is that a joke?

Apparently only American citizens should have their dreams disrupted by the criminal charges they brought upon themselves. pic.twitter.com/SUGBQGJorm

— Nicole Solas, Sued by the Teachers Union (@Nicoletta0602) January 23, 2025

Molina Flynn’s tenure as a judge in Central Falls was notable for several milestones.

He was the first formerly undocumented person and the first openly gay individual appointed as a municipal court judge in Rhode Island.

During his time in the role, he presided over the city’s traffic calendar and other municipal cases.

The investigation surrounding Molina Flynn predates President Donald Trump’s return to office, and federal authorities have clarified that the raid is unrelated to any recent executive orders on immigration.

The lack of information about the nature of the investigation has left many unanswered questions, and further details may emerge as the case develops.

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