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A 33-year-old immigrant lost his left arm after being struck by a train in California while trying to escape from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who were attempting to arrest him.
The dramatic incident occurred on Wednesday, June 11, when Jesús González, originally from Veracruz, Mexico, was returning home from his job as a welder.
According to Univisión, he was waiting at a bus stop when he was approached by immigration agents. In a state of panic, he ran away, and during the chase, he made it to the train tracks, where he was brutally struck.
"I ran into them at a 7-Eleven, there were three patrols... I kept walking and they chased me. I reached the train tracks and the train hit me," Jesús recounted from his stretcher in the hospital, visibly shaken by what had happened.
Despite the severity of the accident, he managed to get up and continued to move forward, injured. However, the officers left him abandoned, according to his report. It was a passerby who finally assisted him and called for an ambulance.
Since then, he has undergone two surgeries, and the doctors do not rule out a third intervention. He lost his entire left arm from the shoulder, and his physical and emotional condition remains critical.
"He is still in shock. He sometimes has crises, and they have to administer medication to calm him down," explained his sister Rubi González, who has been by his side throughout the entire process.
"They told me that they will have to remove more tissue in order to close the wound," she added.
Jesús was the sole breadwinner for his wife and children in Mexico and is now facing an uncertain future, without medical insurance or resources to cover his rehabilitation.
His family created a GoFundMe account to raise funds to cover his medical expenses and to acquire a prosthesis.
"It's very sad because his family depends on him. All of this has been devastating," Rubi expressed.
The case has raised concerns in the community and puts at the center of the debate the use of aggressive tactics by immigration authorities, as well as the treatment of individuals who, like Jesús, fear being arrested and deported.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Incident of the Immigrant Struck by a Vehicle and ICE Practices
How did the accident happen in which the immigrant lost his arm?
The accident occurred when Jesús González, a Mexican immigrant, was struck by a train in California while fleeing from ICE agents who were attempting to arrest him. He was at a bus stop and upon seeing the agents, panicked and began to run, reaching the train tracks where he was brutally hit.
What impact has the case of Jesús González had on the immigrant community?
The case of Jesús González has generated concern in the community and has brought to the forefront of the debate the use of aggressive tactics by immigration authorities and the treatment of immigrants who fear being arrested and deported. The community has expressed alarm over the lack of humanity in the enforcement of immigration policies.
What kind of assistance is Jesús González receiving after the accident?
Jesús González has undergone two surgeries, and doctors do not rule out a third intervention. His family has created a GoFundMe account to raise funds to cover his medical expenses and acquire a prosthesis. His physical and emotional condition remains critical.
What is the current stance on ICE's tactics regarding immigrant detentions?
The tactics employed by ICE have faced criticism and concern, not only due to the incident involving Jesús González but also in other cases that reflect a hardening of immigration policy that creates fear and insecurity in migrant communities. Lawyers and activists question the use of force and the lack of transparent communication from ICE.
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