A recent incident involving an ICE vehicle has sparked significant controversy after local investigators claimed that an officer intentionally ran over a man, Miguel Parra Hernandez, during an immigration stop in Houston. Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare stated that the evidence collected, which includes multiple videos, strongly suggests that the act was deliberate and could lead to aggravated assault charges.
Teare emphasized the severity of the situation, pointing out that such actions, if proven intentional, constitute aggravated assault with a deadly weapon under Texas law. Despite the alarming evidence, he expressed frustration over the lack of cooperation from federal authorities, specifically ICE, in the ongoing investigation.
According to Teare, the vehicle that struck Parra was a Jeep Cherokee, which potentially contains critical data that could clarify the circumstances of the incident. He expressed concerns that ICE may have compromised this evidence by driving the vehicle away from the scene without first preserving the data.
The incident occurred as Parra attempted to flee, believing the unmarked vehicles pursuing him were not law enforcement. An ICE spokesperson has countered the allegations, labeling them as “reckless and false,” and asserting that the officers were simply trying to apprehend another suspect.
Parra’s attorney and civil rights advocates assert that he was not involved in any criminal activity and was merely on his way to work. The case has raised questions about ICE’s operational protocols and the treatment of individuals during immigration enforcement actions.
Teare has called for witnesses or anyone with footage of the incident to come forward, assuring them that their immigration status will not be questioned as the investigation seeks to uncover the truth behind this troubling event.
Photo credit: Raquel Natalicchio
