Questions surrounding a Virginia man’s violent encounter with ICE agents are no longer confined to social media. Officials are now calling for an investigation after medical records showed José Mejía Hernández was hospitalized for three days with a traumatic brain injury and brain bleed following his August 11 encounter with federal agents.
Mejía says he remembers being chased and struck with a Taser while walking to work in Arlington, but says he cannot remember what happened afterward. DHS disputes key parts of his account, maintaining that he remained responsive and that agents used “necessary force” after he attempted to evade arrest. What happened during that missing period is now drawing increased scrutiny.
DHS also provided additional details about Mejía’s immigration and criminal history. According to the agency, Mejía illegally entered the United States in 2006 and accepted a voluntary return to Mexico before reentering the country illegally in 2008. DHS also said he was convicted of public intoxication in Fairfax County in 2020.
A video shared in the X post shows Mejía standing outside as his face has visible bruising, swelling, black eyes, and cuts. He also has stitches on his lip.
Mejía can be seen wearing a black polo shirt and an ankle monitor. A second man stands next to him during the interview and appears to help explain parts of Mejía’s account. This second man points to Mejía’s injuries while questioning why he was hurt so badly after he was already down.
“He showed up all beaten up,” the man says. The man points to Mejía’s split lip and says it required seven stitches. He also points out his black eyes and bruises. Medical records provided by Mejía’s attorney to The Washington Post show he was hospitalized for three days with a traumatic brain injury and brain bleed. However, the records do not establish exactly how those injuries occurred.
The interviewer also says Mejía was taken to a hospital after the incident. He claims Mejía was not handcuffed or restrained at the hospital. Instead, he says Mejía was eventually released with an ankle monitor.
Mejía also encountered problems receiving follow-up medical testing after ICE fitted him with an ankle monitor. His attorney said doctors ordered an MRI, but the device prevented the scan. Immigration authorities ultimately removed the monitor on August 18 so Mejía could undergo the testing.
Mejía’s Injuries Spark Outrage as Officials Demand Answers
Mejía’s visible injuries drew strong reactions online, particularly from viewers who believed the amount of force used against him appeared excessive.
“Again, as it is so many times, and as before, this is sadism. Some of these guys enjoy doing this,” one commenter wrote. Another called the situation “absolutely disgusting” and argued that the officers involved should face consequences if Mejía’s allegations are substantiated.
Others were less sympathetic, pointing to Mejía’s admission that he tried to run when the vehicles approached. One commenter argued that the encounter might have ended differently if he had not attempted to flee.
The online debate, however, cannot resolve what happened during the period Mejía says he cannot remember. His medical records reportedly show that he suffered a traumatic brain injury and brain bleed. At the same time, DHS disputes key parts of his account and maintains that agents used necessary force after he attempted to evade arrest.
What happened during the period Mejía says he cannot remember remains disputed. His medical records establish that he suffered a traumatic brain injury and brain bleed. Still, DHS denies that he lost consciousness and says agents used necessary force after he attempted to flee. With Virginia officials now demanding answers, the bruises visible in Mejía’s video may no longer be the only evidence under scrutiny.
