An ICE agent indicted for running over an immigrant in Houston will now face a criminal case in Texas. At Campos Law Firm, we closely monitor developments in U.S. immigration policy to protect our clients’ rights and future. On October 30, 2026, according to the Associated Press, a Harris County grand jury indicted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Mario Alberto Morales on aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The agent and his attorney say it was an accident and reject the charge. Here is what we know, what we don’t, and what you can do.
What Happened in Houston on October 10?
On Saturday, October 10, during an ICE operation in northwest Harris County, an unmarked ICE SUV struck Miguel Parra Hernández, a 48-year-old construction worker from Mexico. According to his attorney, Kim Bruno, he suffered a broken leg that required surgery the same day and still needs ankle surgery. He remained hospitalized in federal custody.
ICE’s account is that Parra Hernández was riding with the target of the operation, that both men ran on foot when officers tried to stop the car, and that he “ran in front of” the SUV. The agency called claims that he was struck on purpose “false.” Relatives and the advocacy group FIEL Houston also say the man ICE claimed to be looking for was not in that car.
ICE Agent Indicted: What Do Prosecutors Say, and What Does It Mean?
On October 14, Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare said surveillance video shows the SUV jumping a median and driving directly at the man as he ran away. “What I’ve seen so far indicates to me that this agent intentionally struck this person,” he said. Teare also said the agent left the scene with the vehicle, which may have affected crash data, and criticized ICE’s lack of cooperation.
Days later, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official told NBC News that the agent had been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation. According to that official, several officers at the scene were wearing body cameras.
A grand jury indictment means there is probable cause to send the case to trial, not that the agent is guilty. Morales is presumed innocent and has the right to a defense. In cases against federal agents, the defense often asks to move the case to federal court and claims immunity for actions taken on duty, so the road ahead may be long.
Did ICE Already Have a Rule on Pursuits?
Yes. As we explained in our article on ICE’s ban on vehicle pursuits, an internal memo dated September 30, 2026, and reported by AP on October 1, bars officers from chasing vehicles that fail to pull over and requires body cameras to be turned on during traffic stops. That guidance was already in place on October 10.
In this case, however, the chase was of a person on foot after the car had stopped. Whether the memo covers that situation, and whether it was followed, has not been publicly confirmed. It is internal policy, not law, and a violation would not decide the criminal case on its own.
What Are Your Rights During an Encounter With ICE?
This case does not change the law, but it is a reminder that your rights exist even if you are undocumented. If you are face to face with ICE officers:
- Stay calm and do not run: fleeing or resisting raises the risk of injury and can make your situation worse, even if you believe the operation is unfair.
- Stay silent: you have the right not to answer questions about where you were born or your immigration status. You can say, “I want to speak with a lawyer.”
- Do not sign anything without advice: some documents mean agreeing to leave or be deported.
- Ask for medical care: if you are hurt or in custody, request it right away and ask that it be put in writing.
What Evidence Should You Preserve If You or a Relative Is Injured?
Evidence disappears fast. Many business and home security cameras overwrite their footage within days.
- Videos: ask businesses and neighbors for copies as soon as possible; keep your own recordings unedited and back them up to the cloud.
- Medical records: request your full hospital file, photos of the injuries, and bills.
- Operation details: write down the date, time, place, license plates, vehicle descriptions, and officer names or numbers if you saw them.
- Witnesses: get the name and phone number of anyone who saw what happened.
Injuries caused by federal officers may open the door to civil claims, which have strict deadlines. An attorney should coordinate the immigration defense, any criminal case, and that possible claim.
Protect Your Rights with Campos Law Firm
If a relative was detained or injured during an operation, acting in the first hours makes a difference. Our immigration attorneys review the detention, preserve the evidence, and coordinate the defense, and in Texas we can help you from our Irving office.
Do not leave your immigration status to chance. Call us today at +1 (844) 922-6767 to schedule a free, confidential consultation in English or Spanish. Campos Law Firm: Legal Solutions in All Areas of Law.
With information from the Associated Press, AP via Spectrum News and KPRC Click2Houston.
