DHS disputes Dem senator’s claim ICE struck asylum seeker in Baltimore
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Saturday pushed back on a claim by Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., that ICE agents hit an “asylum seeker,” saying the man was an illegal immigrant who caused the crash while trying to evade arrest.
DHS told Fox News that the man in question was a Honduran illegal immigrant with a final deportation order dating back to 2018.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers attempted to arrest the person identified as Ever Omar Alvarenga-Rios in Baltimore on Thursday, but he allegedly tried to evade arrest, according to DHS.
Alvarenga allegedly failed to comply with law enforcement and was “driving recklessly” in the city when officers stopped the vehicle, DHS said.
DHS SAYS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT SUFFERED HIS HEAD INJURED BY HITTING A CONCRETE WALL WHILE ESCAPEING FROM THE ICE, DENIES TATTOO CLAIMS
DHS said an immigrant caused the crash while trying to evade ICE agents in Baltimore. (Department of Homeland Security)
DHS alleged Alvarenga then “hit the brakes” and caused a multi-vehicle crash.
He then attempted to flee on foot and ignored commands from law enforcement, DHS said, adding that ICE officers “followed their training and used the minimum amount of force necessary to make the arrest.”
DHS said two officers involved were injured and taken to the hospital.
DHS SAYS ICE AGENTS WERE HIT BY VEHICLES DURING ENFORCEMENT IN MINNEAPOLIS: ‘THEY WERE AGGRESSIVELY ATTACKED’
DHS objected to Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s, D-Md., statement about an ICE incident involving an immigrant in Baltimore. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
“This illegal alien broke our laws, resisted arrest, sent two ICE law enforcement officers to the hospital, and endangered the public. Fortunately, both of our officers are expected to make a full recovery,” Acting DHS Deputy Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement. he said.
“This dangerous attempt to resist arrest comes after sanctuary politicians encouraged illegal aliens to avoid arrest by hosting webinars teaching illegal aliens how to avoid capture. Sanctuary politicians must stop encouraging this reckless behavior that endangers illegal aliens, our officers, and the public,” he added.
Van Hollen posted a photo on Saturday on social media Footage of the man in a hospital bed identified as an “asylum seeker” who was rear-ended by an internal combustion engine-powered vehicle while on his way to work in Baltimore on Thursday.
DHS says Ever Omar Alvarenga-Rios is an ‘illegal alien’ [who] resisted arrest [and] sent two ICE law enforcement officers to the hospital.” (Getty Images, File)
According to Van Hollen, the man “had serious injuries to his head, chest, back and hands.”
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The Maryland Democrat also said the man was detained and claimed ICE violated his rights by denying him access to lawyers.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Van Hollen’s office for comment.
