Maryland Man Hospitalized Following Alleged ICE Incident
A 32-year-old man from Maryland is recuperating in the hospital after an incident involving an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent accusingly ramming his vehicle on Thursday morning. The individual has been identified as Ever Alvarenga Rios, who has been pursuing U.S. citizenship for the past eight years after immigrating from Honduras.
After requiring medical attention, Alvarenga Rios was released from the hospital on Sunday but was subsequently taken into custody for a forced removal operation, according to his lawyers. The Baltimore Banner reported that an attorney alleged ICE agents intentionally collided with Rios’ van.
In response to the incident, immigration attorney Adam Crandell remarked, “I am not aware of any law enforcement protocol that allows federal agents to use vehicles in such a manner to enforce immigration law.” This perspective underscores growing concerns regarding the methods employed by enforcement agencies in immigration cases.
According to Baltimore police, the incident unfolded at around 7:36 a.m. when patrol officers were dispatched to the 200 block of South Haven Street to investigate a crash involving two vehicles. ICE subsequently reported that Alvarenga Rios “drove recklessly” before abruptly stopping, resulting in a multi-vehicle pile-up. Allegedly, he managed to flee before his arrest.
Police confirmed one of the vehicles was being driven by a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employee, and both drivers sustained minor injuries. “This illegal alien violated our laws, resisted arrest, sent two ICE law enforcement officers to the hospital, and put the public at risk,” Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Biss stated, expressing relief that both officers are expected to recover fully.
Despite the initial crash, Alvarenga Rios suffered “significant injuries to his head, chest, back, and hands,” as mentioned by his lawyer. His legal representatives report they have faced repeated denial of access to their client during his hospitalization, raising concerns about his right to legal counsel and due process. A spokesperson from Eldridge Crandell LLC voiced apprehension about the practices of the involved ICE agents, emphasizing the case’s broader implications on immigration enforcement across the nation.
On the same day, Lurbin Vazquez received a distressing call from her husband’s employee, informing her of Alvarenga Rios’ arrest. “At that moment, I started crying,” she recounted, reflecting her anxiety and uncertainty. Vazquez emphasized her husband’s clean record in both the U.S. and Honduras, affirming that they adhere to the laws diligently.
Family and friends who visited Alvarenga Rios captured footage of his injuries during a brief visit. Eini Mancia, one of the visitors, commented on the limited time they had to see him before being asked to leave the hospital. Meanwhile, Alvarenga Rios’ attorney Clarissa Lindsey noted that a third-party ICE agent had limited communication with her client and emphasized the legal barriers preventing their access.
Lindsey confirmed Alvarenga Rios is a small business owner with no prior convictions. Senator Chris Van Hollen criticized the circumstances surrounding the detention, labeling the denial of access to legal counsel as a clear violation of constitutional rights. As the situation unfolds, Alvarenga Rios is expected to be discharged from the hospital on Sunday, with many awaiting his return home.
