The Department of Homeland Security on Saturday pushed back on claims by Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., saying the man involved in a Thursday ICE encounter in Baltimore is an illegal immigrant who caused a crash while attempting to evade arrest.
DHS told Fox News that the individual, identified as Ever Omar Alvarenga-Rios, is a Honduran illegal immigrant with a final order of removal dating back to 2018. According to the department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers attempted to arrest Alvarenga on Thursday in Baltimore, but he allegedly tried to evade law enforcement.
When officers conducted a vehicle stop, Alvarenga allegedly failed to comply and "drove recklessly" through the city, DHS said. He then "slammed on his brakes," causing a multi-vehicle crash, according to the agency. He attempted to flee on foot and ignored law enforcement commands.
DHS said ICE officers "followed their training and used the minimum amount of force necessary to make the arrest." The two officers involved were injured and taken to the hospital, though both are expected to make a full recovery.
What the Left Is Saying
Senator Van Hollen on Saturday posted photos on social media of Alvarenga in a hospital bed, describing him as an "asylum seeker" who was rear-ended by an ICE vehicle while driving to work Thursday in Baltimore.
According to Van Hollen, the man suffered "significant injuries to his head, chest, back and hands." The Maryland Democrat also said the man was detained and claimed ICE was violating his rights by denying him access to attorneys.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Van Hollen said ICE under the Trump administration "continues to prevent Ever Alvarenga from meeting with attorneys while in the hospital — preventing them from receiving full updates on his health condition or discussing his case."
"They have also blocked him from signing a privacy release so my office can make further inquiries," Van Hollen said. "No matter what the Trump Administration says, the Constitution applies to everyone in the United States. Mr. Alvarenga has a right to due process and full access to his legal representation."
What the Right Is Saying
DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis issued a statement saying the incident demonstrates the dangers of resisting immigration enforcement.
"This illegal alien broke our laws, resisted arrest, sent two ICE law enforcement officers to the hospital, and endangered the general public," Bis said. " Thankfully both our officers are expected to make a full recovery."
Bis also criticized sanctuary policies, saying: "This dangerous attempt to resist arrest comes after sanctuary politicians have encouraged illegal aliens to evade arrest by hosting webinars instructing illegal aliens how to avoid being caught. Sanctuary politicians must stop encouraging this reckless behavior that endangers illegal aliens, our officers, and the public."
DHS maintained that officers used minimum force and followed training protocols during the arrest. The department has not independently verified Van Hollen's characterization of events, including whether an ICE vehicle rear-ended the man's car.
What the Numbers Show
Ever Omar Alvarenga-Rios has a final order of removal dating to 2018, according to DHS. This means an immigration judge previously ordered him to leave the United States.
Two ICE officers were injured during the incident and required hospitalization. Both are expected to make full recoveries, according to DHS.
Van Hollen's office has requested a privacy release from Alvarenga to allow further inquiry into his case, but DHS says that request has been blocked.
The Bottom Line
The conflicting accounts of the Thursday incident in Baltimore remain unresolved. DHS maintains its version of events based on agency records, while Van Hollen continues to demand transparency and access to legal counsel for Alvarenga.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and congressional Democrats over immigration enforcement practices. Van Hollen has called for a full investigation into the incident and for ICE to respect Alvarenga's constitutional rights.
What to watch: Whether congressional Democrats pursue additional oversight of the incident, and whether DHS releases body camera footage or other evidence that could verify the competing accounts.