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It seems like there are new stories relating to ICE with each passing day. We honestly can’t catch a break. The Trump administration has been more than strict when it comes to its immigration policy. It reached a point where ICE are now allowed to use force against those whom they detain. Well, that can backfire. A New Jersey immigrant is now facing 20 years in prison after he broke an ICE officer’s nose. Some people saw that violence wasn’t the solution, while others saw the situation as self-defense.
The Incident happened when the New Jersey immigrant was getting arrested by ICE. Hector Villegas-Alvarez, the New Jersey immigrant, was going to get detained based on the claim that he was undocumented. Therefore, he was set to be deported after his arrest. In an official statement by the New Jersey Attorney’s Office, it was said that Villegas-Alvarez did exit his car peacefully. He, however, resisted arrest by tensing his body and locking his arms when the ICE officer attempted to handcuff him.
Things got worse for the New Jersey immigrant when he “forcefully elbowed” a female ICE officer in her face. According to the statement, this led the officer to sustain a broken nose plus a concussion. It was detailed that the ICE officer is now experiencing post-concussion symptoms including facing difficulty in breathing and also fainting.
What Happens Next?
According to The Latin Times, the New Jersey immigrant was tasered multiple times and then attempted to go back to his vehicle. In the end, he was arrested and is facing one count of assaulting a federal officer. “Those who choose to attack and assault law enforcement will continue to be met with swift and severe punishment,” said U.S. Attorney Alina Habba.
The charge of assaulting a federal officer means that the New Jersey immigrant is facing up to 20 years in prison. There is also a fine that can reach $250,000. Villegas-Alvarez is still in custody so the outcome of this assault is yet to be seen.
People Reacting to the Arrest of the New Jersey Immigrant
People had different reactions regarding the entire situation, but many took the New Jersey immigrant’s side. One person wrote, “Yea. It’s really just self-defense at this point. He shouldn’t spend any time in prison tbh.” Another agreed as they said, “If someone in an unmarked car, with plain clothes, attempts to abduct me under any circumstances I should have the right to defend myself. This is ridiculous.” A third then replied by saying, “This. I’m not looking for a ban, but we have laws that say you can defend yourself. I’m certainly not being shipped to El Salvador, that’s for damn sure.”
Some people started claiming that if these deportations kept going in the same manner, some ICE officers would be injured. “I mean, how long until one of these ICE officers is shot in self defense? They’re showing up masked with no credentials. Any weirdo that wants to cosplay and harass their immigrant neighbors can buy patches and vests off the internet.” Another Redditor agreed as they provided another example. “And have. There have been several incidents where people start attacking Hispanics and pretend to be ICE agents and they bought their crap off Amazon.” The whole situation is unfortunate. What I can say is that the New Jersey immigrant and other immigrants as well deserve to be treated with dignity.
