The Department of Homeland Security pushed back Saturday against claims by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) that ICE agents struck an “asylum seeker” in Baltimore. DHS identified the man as Ever Omar Alvarenga-Rios, a Honduran illegal immigrant with a final order of removal since 2018.
According to DHS, ICE attempted to arrest him on April 2; he evaded by driving recklessly, slamming on his brakes, causing a multi-vehicle crash, then fled on foot, ignoring commands. Officers used minimum force; two ICE agents were injured and hospitalized. Van Hollen posted hospital-bed photos, described significant injuries, and accused ICE of denying attorney access and due process rights.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen initially posted, “🚨 Ever Alvarenga, an asylum seeker, was driving to work Thursday morning when he was rear-ended by an ICE vehicle. He is still in the hospital after suffering significant injuries to his head, chest, back, & hands.”
“After the accident, he was detained & ICE now refuses to allow his attorneys to meet with him privately, a clear denial of the due process rights afforded to all under our Constitution. ICE tactics are endangering our communities & violating the Constitution,” he added.
Responding to the official DHS Twitter account, it retorted, “Here are the facts: On April 2, ICE officers conducted a targeted operation to arrest Ever Omar Alvarenga-Rios, an ILLEGAL ALIEN from Honduras with a final order of removal from a judge.”
Still not done, the thread stated, “Officers tried to conduct a vehicle stop, but instead of complying with law enforcement, this illegal alien drove recklessly through the streets of Baltimore. Alvarenga-Rios slammed on his brakes, causing a multi-car pileup. He then attempted to flee on foot and continued to disobey law enforcement commands.”
Providing more information, the DHS declared that, “Alvarenga and the two officers involved were transported to a local hospital for treatment, including a concussion. Alvarenga remains in the hospital in ICE custody.”
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Concluding, the post stated, “This illegal alien broke our laws, resisted arrest, and sent two ICE law enforcement officers to the hospital. Sanctuary politicians must STOP encouraging this reckless behavior that endangers illegal aliens, our officers, and the public.”
Adam Crandell, the immigration attorney, claimed that the man, Ever Alvarenga Rios, “has been seeking citizenship for eight years” and described him as a “polite young man.” He also stated that Alvarenga Rios’s vehicle was “violently rear-ended” by an ICE vehicle and called the incident one of the “most egregious” cases.
Reacting to the Democrats’ post, one conservative stated, “@ChrisVanHollen, Why are you lying and why are you protecting illegal aliens. Haven’t you read the stories about all of the women and children who have been raped and murdered, or is it that you just don’t.”
“And now we [have to pay his] hospital bills for how long. He’ll never be able to be deported until he recovers. He should be stabilized & shipped to a hospital in his country,” another argued. Rounding out the comments, one commentator stated, “Van Hollen needs to crawl back under the rock he slithered out from. What a disgrace and a world class POS.”