Public Safety · Houston, TX
ICE Officer Broke Houston Worker's Leg Pursuing Suspect Who Died Years Ago, Family Says
A federal ICE officer struck and broke the leg of 48-year-old Houston construction worker Miguel Parra Hernandez while pursuing a suspect identified as Jose Mendoza-Cervantes, whom the suspect's family says actually died years ago under the name Jose Hector Jimenez. The Harris County District Attorney's Office confirmed the alleged suspect was not in the vehicle, and surveillance footage contradicts ICE's account that Hernandez stepped in front of the SUV; criminal charges against the officer are under consideration by DA Sean Teare. FIEL, a Houston immigration advocacy group, presented a Mexican death certificate at a Friday news conference and is seeking Hernandez's release before his transfer from hospital to federal detention. U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia called the incident outrageous and questioned whether ICE agents verify targets before acting.