PoliticsFriday, October 30, 20261 min read

An ICE officer has been charged after striking a man with a car in Houston

By Lekan Oyekanmi, Associated Press · Via PBS NewsHour · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare announced second-degree aggravated assault charges against officer Mario Alberto Morales for hitting 48-year-old Miguel Parra Hernandez with an unmarked car. Video evidence presented by prosecutors shows the vehicle shaking on impact after mounting a median, with Morales later admitting he struck the fleeing man. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials claim the pedestrian stepped in front of the car and assert local prosecutors have no authority over federal agents. Advocates are now pushing for the release of Parra Hernandez, who suffered a broken leg and has lived without authorization in the country for three decades.

Key points

Federal immigration authorities claim local officials lack the jurisdiction to prosecute…: Federal immigration authorities claim local officials lack the jurisdiction to prosecute federal officers performing official enforcement duties.
Prosecutors found no evidence linking the injured construction worker to the separate ind…: Prosecutors found no evidence linking the injured construction worker to the separate individual federal agents claimed to be targeting.
Community advocates are actively demanding the release of Miguel Parra Hernandez, who rem…: Community advocates are actively demanding the release of Miguel Parra Hernandez, who remains in detention despite sustaining a broken leg.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

By — Anna Wilder, Associated Press/Report For America Anna Wilder, Associated Press/Report For America By — Lekan Oyekanmi, Associated Press Lekan Oyekanmi, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/an-ice-officer-has-been-charged-after-striking-a-man-with-a-car-in-houston Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter An ICE officer has been charged after striking a man with a car in Houston Nation Oct 30, 2026 1:53 PM EDT HOUSTON (AP) — A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer accused of intentionally ramming his car into a Mexican construction worker in Houston was charged Friday with aggravated assault, prosecutors said. The Harris County District Attorney's office says Mario Alberto Morales was behind the wheel of an unmarked black vehicle on Oct. 10 when it struck Miguel Parra Hernandez, 48, who was running away. Parra Hernandez was later placed in custody with a broken leg. READ MORE: ICE officer appeared to intentionally hit a man with a vehicle in Houston, Texas prosecutor says Few federal officers during President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown have faced criminal charges for their actions in the field, although some encounters…

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Key Points

Federal immigration authorities claim local officials lack the jurisdiction to prosecute…: Federal immigration authorities claim local officials lack the jurisdiction to prosecute federal officers performing official enforcement duties.
Prosecutors found no evidence linking the injured construction worker to the separate ind…: Prosecutors found no evidence linking the injured construction worker to the separate individual federal agents claimed to be targeting.
Community advocates are actively demanding the release of Miguel Parra Hernandez, who rem…: Community advocates are actively demanding the release of Miguel Parra Hernandez, who remains in detention despite sustaining a broken leg.

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AI Analysis

Tone

Negative

In short

Key Points

Federal immigration authorities claim local officials lack the jurisdiction to prosecute…: Federal immigration authorities claim local officials lack the jurisdiction to prosecute federal officers performing official enforcement duties.
Prosecutors found no evidence linking the injured construction worker to the separate ind…: Prosecutors found no evidence linking the injured construction worker to the separate individual federal agents claimed to be targeting.
Community advocates are actively demanding the release of Miguel Parra Hernandez, who rem…: Community advocates are actively demanding the release of Miguel Parra Hernandez, who remains in detention despite sustaining a broken leg.

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Politics

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An ICE officer has been charged after striking a man with a car in Houston

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