The family of Miguel Parra Hernández, a 48-year-old Mexican national, is calling for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding his serious injury, which occurred when he was struck by a vehicle from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Houston, Texas. They are also seeking assurances from the US government, specifically the administration of former President Donald Trump, that Hernández will receive necessary medical care as he recovers from multiple fractures sustained in the incident.
Rodolfo Parra, the brother of an immigrant, appealed to authorities on Wednesday to prevent his family from being relocated from the hospital to a migrant detention center until his treatment is completed. He made the request during a news conference organized by FIEL Houston, an immigrant rights organization, emphasizing the urgent need for support and justice in his brother's critical condition.
On a Saturday morning, Parra was en route to work when he was stopped by federal agents traveling in an unmarked vehicle with obscured identification. César Espinosa, executive director of FIEL Houston, reported the details of the incident.
A surveillance video obtained by local media outlets depicts Parra and another individual fleeing a white truck as a dark-colored vehicle gives chase. The footage shows the pursuing vehicle colliding with Parra, causing him to be restrained and left lying on the ground.
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare has initiated an independent investigation into the incident, with the cooperation of the Sheriff's Office. The inquiry aims to determine whether the images obtained could serve as evidence to support potential criminal charges against the involved agent. According to Teare, the most apparent criminal charge in this case would be aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, as a vehicle can be considered a deadly weapon when used intentionally to cause harm to a person.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents engaged in a high-speed pursuit of a vehicle containing two individuals who were already handcuffed, resulting in a fatal accident that severely injured Miguel Parra-Hernandez. During the chase, Parra-Hernandez was struck by the vehicle, suffering a life-altering injury that left him with both legs broken.
Parra continues to receive medical treatment at a hospital in the Katy area, having already undergone surgery to address injuries to one of his legs. According to his legal team, the athlete also sustained fractures in both legs, as well as damage to his hips and an ankle injury that will necessitate a second reconstructive procedure.
The family of Miguel and their legal representatives have requested that the federal government assume financial responsibility for his treatment and ensure he receives the necessary care to address potential long-term effects resulting from the attack. They emphasized the government's obligation to provide ongoing support until Miguel fully recovers, expressing concern that he may be transferred to a migrant centre before he is well enough.
A Venezuelan national, Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez, was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Austin in September. The incident has raised concerns among immigrant advocates, who claim that Pérez was transported to a detention facility despite being severely injured, with a bullet lodged in his back. The circumstances surrounding the operation have also been questioned. Meanwhile, a Mexican national, who has been living in the United States for approximately 30 years, is facing uncertainty. This individual, who has been a resident of the country for an extended period, had a pending residence application and operated a small business that employs multiple individuals.
A 48-year-old construction worker, Miguel Parra Hernández, was involved in a collision with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) truck on October 10 in Houston, Texas, during a migrant operation. As a result of the incident, he sustained a complex leg fracture in three parts and a hip injury.
Lawyers for the individual claim they were not the intended focus of the federal intervention, with authorities allegedly seeking a man named José Mendoza Cervantes. They expressed uncertainty regarding the individual's identity and raised concerns about whether law enforcement actions were based on racial profiling.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have disputed claims that the incident was premeditated, stating that agents were attempting to apprehend individuals allegedly present in the country without authorization. According to ICE, Parra moved in front of a federal vehicle before being involved in the incident.
The investigation into the incident has been hindered by a lack of cooperation from the relevant authorities, according to the local prosecutor's office. This has led the prosecutor to express concern that crucial information related to the vehicle involved may be irretrievable due to the absence of cooperation from ICE and the Department of National Security.
Two men who were passengers in a federal truck at the time of the incident are seeking to provide testimony to investigators. Representing one of the witnesses, Luis Enríquez, is attorney Kim Bruno, who is working to facilitate Enríquez's ability to cooperate with the investigation.
Both individuals currently remain in federal custody and are actively cooperating to secure their availability as potential witnesses.
A recent incident of violence has been linked to a migration operation in Texas, further highlighting concerns over the state's handling of such cases. In July, a fatal shooting occurred in Houston, where a 52-year-old Mexican national, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, was killed by an ICE agent, prompting the local prosecutor's office to raise questions about the lack of federal cooperation in the investigation.
Parra's family has requested that the investigation into his situation be allowed to proceed without interruption, while also urging that he remain in the hospital until he can receive the medical attention he requires.
