From NBC News · Julia Ainsley · · 2m
ICE agent on administrative leave after Houston collision
ICE agent placed on leave after vehicle struck Houston man.
In brief
ICE agent placed on leave after vehicle struck Houston man. ICE agent driving vehicle that struck and injured Houston man placed on administrative leave as investigation begins. Originally reported by NBC News.
ICE agent placed on leave
A senior Department of Homeland Security official said the ICE officer accused of running over an immigrant in Houston has been placed on administrative leave while the incident is investigated.
Video review underway
ICE is reviewing video of the scene as part of an internal investigation, though no decision has been made about sharing the video with the public or the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
Witness interviewed
District Attorney Sean Teare said he interviewed a key witness who was handcuffed in the back of the ICE vehicle when it hit Miguel Parra Hernández.
Witness location
The witness was interviewed at the Port Isabel Processing Center, about 35 to 40 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border in South Texas.
Witness status
Cesar Espinosa, co-founder and executive director of FIEL Houston, said it’s very troubling that the witness is in Port Isabel and hasn’t been released yet.
Grand jury timeline
Teare said his office will present the case to a grand jury as soon as next week after compiling all information gathered or still being gathered.
ICE deportation plan
ICE responded that Teare should get to Port Isabel fast because the agency planned to deport the witness, according to the district attorney’s office.
Medical records subpoenaed
The district attorney’s office has issued subpoenas for Parra’s medical records and emergency medical personnel records from when he was struck.
Witness protection
Teare, Parra’s attorney Kim Bruno and advocates have pressed the Trump administration not to deport Parra and the two men in the vehicle.
U visa applications
The district attorney’s office has been in touch with consulates for the countries of origin of all three men to assist with their applications for u visas.
ICE claims
ICE has said Parra ran into the ICE vehicle’s path, though Teare said videos show the agency intentionally hit and ran over Parra.
Video evidence
Security video shows a white truck facing the opposite direction of traffic, with Parra and another man exiting the truck and running before another vehicle jumps a median and swerves toward him.
Here's the gist
ICE agent driving vehicle that struck and injured Houston man placed on administrative leave as investigation begins.
