An immigrant man from Maryland is currently recuperating in a hospital after an incident involving an ICE officer who is accused of colliding with his vehicle on Thursday. The individual has been identified by his lawyer as Ever Alvarenga Rios.
One of his attorneys reported that Alvarenga Rios is anticipated to be discharged from the hospital on Sunday morning.
The Baltimore Banner initially broke the story, citing a lawyer who contends that ICE agents deliberately collided with the 32-year-old man’s van.
Immigration attorney Adam Crandell expressed his concerns to the Banner, stating, “I am not aware of any law enforcement protocol that exists in any scenario or situation across the country that would allow federal agents to use vehicles in such a manner to enforce immigration law.”
WJZ has reached out to ICE for a statement regarding the incident.
Details of the Incident
The Baltimore City Police Department reported that the incident took place early Thursday morning. Officers were dispatched at 7:36 a.m. to the 200 block of South Haven Street to investigate a collision involving two vehicles.
Authorities confirmed that one of the drivers was affiliated with the Department of Homeland Security, and both individuals sustained minor injuries from the crash. However, Alvarenga Rios remained hospitalized on Friday with significant injuries to his head, chest, back, and hands, as noted in a statement from his lawyer.
Alvarenga Rios’ legal team has indicated that their access to him at the hospital has been repeatedly denied. Eldridge Crandell LLC stated, “We are deeply disturbed by the actions of the ICE officers involved—not only for their actions that injured our client and endangered public safety but also for their continued denial of access to legal counsel and due process. This incident underscores growing concerns across the nation regarding the conduct of immigration enforcement.”
Alvarenga Rios’ Wife Speaks Out
On Thursday morning, his wife, Rubin Vasquez, received a call from her husband’s employer informing her that ICE had detained Ever Alvarenga Rios. “At that moment, I started crying,” Vasquez recounted. “I was nervous because I didn’t know what to do.”
Vasquez expressed her faith, stating that both she and her husband love the Lord and abide by the law. “My husband has no criminal record; not in the United States and not in Honduras, where he is from,” she said.
Family and friends, including Eini Mancia, visited him in the hospital and documented his injuries through photos and videos. “I could see him for five minutes,” Mancia reported, adding that they were soon asked to leave. Meanwhile, Alvarenga Rios’ lawyer continued discussions with him.
“I’m just waiting for the moment he walks through the door. His family is waiting for him to come home,” said Vasquez.
Lawyer Denies Access
Clarissa Lindsey, Alvarenga Rios’ attorney, revealed that an ICE agent had a brief interaction with her client during his hospital stay. “ICE has notified PPS, a third-party contractor, that our client will not have access to any legal counsel while in the hospital,” Lindsey explained.
She noted the lack of clarity surrounding the cause of his injuries, whether they resulted from the collision or potential physical contact with the ICE officers. Lindsey emphasized that Alvarenga Rios has no prior convictions or pending legal issues.
Senator Chris Van Hollen weighed in, condemning ICE’s denial of access to legal counsel, calling it a clear violation of the due process rights guaranteed by the Constitution. “ICE’s tactics are putting our communities at risk,” he remarked. Lindsey confirmed to WJZ that Alvarenga Rios is scheduled to be released from the hospital on Sunday.
