Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Leads Texas Democrats in Demanding the Release of Miguel Parra Hernández from ICE Custody

Effort details Trump administration failure to uphold ICE’s own detention standards Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) led members of the Texas Democratic Delegation in demanding the United States Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) Markwayne Mullin and Acting Director of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) David Venturella take immediate steps toward the release of Miguel Parra Hernández from ICE custody. “On October 10, 2026, an ICE agent struck Mr. Parra Hernández, a 48-year-old construction worker, with an unmarked vehicle while chasing him through a West Houston parking lot—severely injuring Mr. Parra Hernández and leaving him hospitalized with a broken leg with injuries to his hip and ankle,” the members wrote .  “For more than 30 years, Parra Hernández has called Houston home.  He has no criminal record and was not the intended target of ICE’s operation, yet was severely injured and has remained under ICE custody during his recovery. “During this past month, ICE has repeatedly hindered and restricted Mr. Parra Hernández's access to his family members and lawyer,” the members continued .  “ICE personnel have restricted Mr. Parra Hernández’s lawyer when trying to consult with Mr. Parra Hernández about the legal options available to him or to present legal documents to him, and have remained by his side since the incident—and even throughout his surgical procedure—raising concerns about the lack of confidentiality and patient privacy. ICE has hindered similar attempts from Mr. Parra Hernández’s family members to see or speak with him, as well. Even food brought for him by his family has reportedly been rejected and discarded by ICE personnel. ICE has not allowed Mr. Parra Hernández to shower or shave during the duration of his recovery, contradictory to the agency’s national detention standards, and ICE agents standing beside him react defensively whenever Mr. Parra Hernández tries to move or adjust himself in bed. “We demand that the DHS give all due consideration of Mr. Parra Hernández’s situation and take immediate steps to release Mr. Parra Hernández from ICE custody,” the members concluded .  “We also demand that you restore rightful access to his lawyer and family members as the Constitution requires. We urge the Department’s immediate attention to this matter and await your response.” A Harris County grand jury recently indicted the ICE agent who struck Mr. Parra Hernández on second-degree felony charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.  The ICE agent responsible was hired during ICE’s hiring surge last year and released on bond, while Mr. Parra Hernández remains under constant surveillance by ICE personnel. In February, Congresswoman Fletcher introduced the Freeze ICE Act , H.R. 7392, to stop the rapid recruitment of unvetted individuals at ICE.  In March, she introduced an amendment to a previous DHS funding proposal to institute a hiring freeze at ICE. Congressmembers Greg Casar (TX-35), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Al Green (TX-09), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Christian Menefee (TX-18), and Marc Veasey (TX-33) joined Congresswoman Fletcher in the letter request. To view the full text of the letter, click here .