Man suffered brain injury and severe bruising after ICE arrest in Virginia, records show

José Mejía Hernandez, 45, was hospitalized with a brain injury and extensive bruising after his arrest by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Arlington, Virginia, on August 11. His lawyers shared photos and medical records detailing his injuries.

According to his lawyer, Margaret Hellerstein, Mejía Hernandez was walking to a bus stop when agents pursued him. He recalls being tased but has no memory of the subsequent events until waking up in the hospital. A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson confirmed the stop, stating Mejía Hernandez "attempted [to] flee from the scene requiring ICE to use necessary force to gain control of the situation." The spokesperson added that he was taken to a hospital "out of precaution."

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Allegations that he was unconscious and woke up in a hospital bed are FALSE. According to officers, they rendered aide [sic], asked the individual, who was responsive, if he was okay after evading arrest, and followed their training.

While hospitalized, a nurse informed Mejía Hernandez of a brain bleed. Medical records later diagnosed him with a "mild TBI [traumatic brain injury]" and a "subarachnoid bleed," noting head, face, and neck injuries with continued pain. His lawyers reported that he was fitted with an ankle monitor after being transferred to an ICE office, which complicated his ability to undergo a recommended MRI scan.

DHS disputed Mejía Hernandez's account of blacking out, asserting that officers provided aid and that he was responsive. The department also stated that ICE was not hindering his ability to have the ankle monitor removed for medical purposes. Photos released by his lawyers show significant bruising on his face, including two black eyes, along with other injuries.

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attempted [to] flee from the scene requiring ICE to use necessary force to gain control of the situation