Hidalgo Seeks Release of Man Injured by ICE Vehicle

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo called on November 5 for Miguel Parra-Hernandez to be released immediately, raising concerns about his access to an attorney, family visits and medical care while he recovers at a rehabilitation facility in Houston. Parra-Hernandez was injured when an ICE agent’s vehicle struck him on October 10 and suffered a broken leg, according to the account of the incident provided by the sheriff’s office and county officials.

Hidalgo said Parra-Hernandez should be able to meet with his attorney without a security agent in the room or restrictions on documents and visiting hours. She also said facility staff had turned away family members, confiscated food they brought and threatened to end visits if rules were broken.

Her requests included private access to physical and mental health care. Hidalgo said security agents remained present during conversations with a psychological professional and that Parra-Hernandez was in significant physical and mental pain.

Attorney Kim Bruno, director of FIEL Cesar Espinosa and representatives of U.S. Reps. Sylvia Garcia and Lizzie Fletcher attended the announcement. Hidalgo described Parra-Hernandez as a victim and an important source of information in the investigation of ICE officer Mario Alberto Morales.

Morales has been indicted on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His attorney, David Lindenmuth, has said Morales was trying to close the distance with a person fleeing on foot when he maneuvered to avoid another vehicle, and described the collision as an accident rather than a crime. ICE previously characterized Hidalgo’s criticism as a political stunt.

Hidalgo Demands Release as Injured Man Faces Restrictions on Care and Visits

Miguel Parra-Hernandez was injured in an October 10 collision with an ICE vehicle and is still recovering from a broken leg. On November 5, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo demanded his immediate release and said his access to counsel, family and health care was being restricted while he remained at a rehabilitation facility.

Hidalgo said Parra-Hernandez’s attorney could not meet with him without security in the room and faced limits on bringing documents and choosing visiting hours. She also said family members had been told to leave, food they brought had been confiscated, and visits could be stopped if they violated facility rules.

The judge called for private access to physical and mental health care, saying security agents remained present during conversations with a psychological professional. Attorney Kim Bruno, FIEL director Cesar Espinosa and representatives of two congressional offices joined Hidalgo in making the requests.

ICE officer Mario Alberto Morales faces an aggravated-assault indictment connected to the incident. His attorney says Morales was trying to close the distance with someone fleeing and had to maneuver around another vehicle, describing the collision as an accident. But the immediate concern Hidalgo raised is Parra-Hernandez’s treatment and whether he can recover with meaningful access to his lawyer, family and care.

Hidalgo’s Release Demand Puts ICE Incident and Criminal Case in Spotlight

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is pressing to free Miguel Parra-Hernandez, who was hit by an ICE vehicle during an October 10 incident. The demand, made on November 5, comes as ICE officer Mario Alberto Morales faces an aggravated-assault indictment and his attorney disputes that the collision was a crime.

Morales’s attorney, David Lindenmuth, says his client was trying to close the distance with a person fleeing on foot and had to maneuver to avoid another vehicle. He has called the collision an accident. ICE previously dismissed Hidalgo’s criticism as a political stunt.

Hidalgo’s concerns extend beyond the criminal case. She says Parra-Hernandez has faced restrictions on attorney visits and documents, family visits and access to private health care while recovering at a rehabilitation facility from a broken leg. She called for his release and for access to legal counsel, relatives and physical and mental health services.

Attorney Kim Bruno, FIEL director Cesar Espinosa and representatives of U.S. Reps. Sylvia Garcia and Lizzie Fletcher attended Hidalgo’s announcement. The case now involves competing claims: Hidalgo describes Parra-Hernandez as a victim and an important source of information, while Morales’s defense maintains that the vehicle incident was an accident.