Houston – A federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer drove a black SUV into a construction worker on a Houston street Saturday, breaking the worker’s leg. The incident has raised serious questions about ICE’s target verification procedures.
Victim’s condition and background
Miguel Parra Hernandez, a 48‑year‑old Mexican national who works in construction, was hospitalized with multiple leg fractures. He will need reconstructive ankle surgery, according to FIEL, a Houston‑based immigration‑advocacy group.
Disputed target
ICE officials said they were pursuing a suspect identified as Jose Mendoza‑Cervantes, who allegedly entered a vehicle with Parra Hernandez. However, Harris County District Attorney Rafael Lemaitre told the Associated Press that Mendoza‑Cervantes was not in that vehicle.
FIEL executive director Cesar Espinosa called ICE’s account “unbelievable,” noting that the photo ICE released of the alleged suspect actually shows Jose Hector Jimenez – a man who died years ago while being pursued by federal immigration authorities. Jimenez’s daughter provided a Mexican‑government death certificate, which has been turned over to the district attorney’s office.
Legal and investigative response
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare is reviewing criminal charges against the ICE officer who drove the SUV. Surveillance footage released by the district attorney’s office appears to contradict ICE’s claim that Parra Hernandez stepped in front of the vehicle. The video shows the SUV speeding over a median and coming within inches of a fleeing man before the man falls to the ground.
Political reaction
U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, a Democrat representing Houston, said the incident suggests ICE may be operating without adequate verification of its targets. “If ICE was pursuing a man who died years ago, it raises serious questions about how these operations are being carried out and whether agents are even verifying who they’re looking for before putting people’s lives at risk,” Garcia said.
Family and legal advocacy
Parra Hernandez’s attorney, Kim Bruno, said her client is suffering from depression while in federal custody, especially after learning he was not the intended target. “This never should have happened in the first place,” Bruno said.
Parra’s brother, Roberto Parra, emphasized the family’s need for support, noting that Miguel’s only “crime” was seeking work to provide for his family. FIEL is seeking Parra Hernandez’s release from federal custody before he is transferred from the hospital to a detention center.
Additional concerns
Nidia Delfín, sister of Luis Enrique Delfín – another individual detained in the ICE vehicle that struck Parra Hernandez – called for her brother’s release so he can serve as a witness. She said he remains “very concerned” and “still very afraid.”
The incident underscores ongoing concerns about ICE’s operational practices and the impact on immigrant workers who are essential to Houston’s construction industry.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
