A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent struck a man with a vehicle during an immigration enforcement operation in Harris County, Texas, leaving him with a suspected broken leg and prompting an investigation by local authorities.
The incident occurred on Saturday, October 10, near Clay Road and Highway 6 in the Houston area. The injured man was identified as Miguel Parra-Hernandez, who was reportedly taken to hospital for treatment and remained in ICE custody.
According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, agents were pursuing two men during an attempt to arrest Jose Mendoza-Cervantes, a Mexican national whom ICE said was subject to a final deportation order.
Authorities said the men left their vehicle and fled on foot during the pursuit. Surveillance footage reviewed by media outlets appeared to show the ICE agent steering the vehicle towards Parra-Hernandez before hitting him.
ICE offered a different account, saying Parra-Hernandez ran in front of the agency’s vehicle and was struck. The circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation.
Mendoza-Cervantes escaped and was still being sought, according to ICE. Local deputies were gathering surveillance footage and other evidence to establish what happened.
Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones called for ICE to provide all relevant evidence and cooperate with investigators.
The incident has renewed scrutiny of the tactics used by federal immigration officers during enforcement operations, particularly when pursuits put individuals and members of the public at risk.
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