Lari López, a 25-year-old Cuban woman, remains in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Texas, awaiting her deportation, after reporting alleged physical abuse by immigration agents during her arrest at the southern border of the U.S.
According to her fiancé, Gerdys López, the young woman was detained on May 2 after entering the country.
She claims that the immigration officers pushed her with all their force, causing her to fall to the ground and suffer a fracture in her leg that required surgery.
From the detention center where she is held, Lari recounted what happened in statements to Telemundo 51.
"I twisted my leg and heard a sound like my knee broke. I fell to the floor, scared because I couldn't feel my leg, nothing at all, just a very strong pain."
After the fall, he claims that the agents downplayed his condition.
"They dragged me because they told me it wasn't a big deal, that I could walk. They said: 'walk, walk, it's not that serious, you can walk, walk,'" he detailed.
Her partner reported that "they, ignoring her pleas and pain, did not believe her and told her 'walk,' dragging her on the floor using brutal force."
After several hours without medical attention, Lari was finally examined by a doctor, who—according to Gerdys—diagnosed her with a fracture in the tibia, close to the knee, which required surgery.
"He had to undergo surgery and they inserted some steel pins into the bone of his tibia," he assured.
"It was 60 days when the doctor diagnosed. That's why there is a high risk that his leg will remain stiff."
The young man claims that, even while recovering and with "his leg full of metal," his fiancée was transported for 16 hours to Louisiana with the aim of deporting her.
"When she was about to board the plane to be deported to Cuba, the doctor said she couldn't travel, and they had to bring her back again, spending more hours on a bus without pain medication," she recounted.
Currently, Lari is recovering from a second surgery while remaining in ICE custody.
In an official statement, the agency declared: "We can confirm that she is in ICE custody awaiting deportation. We cannot provide details about her medical history without a signed privacy waiver from her that authorizes us to disclose that information."
The young woman and her partner are afraid she might be deported to Cuba or sent to a third country without having received the full medical attention her case requires.
Frequently asked questions about the situation of Lari López and ICE detentions
What happened to Lari López during her detention by ICE?
Lari López was violently arrested by ICE agents, resulting in a broken leg that required surgery. During her detention at the southern border of the U.S., Lari reported physical abuse that caused her to fall to the ground and fracture her tibia, near the knee. Despite her obvious pain, the agents downplayed her condition, complicating her physical recovery.
What is the current status of Lari López and her deportation process?
Currently, Lari López is in ICE custody awaiting her deportation, but she has had to face medical complications due to the lack of proper care following her surgery. Her fiancé fears she will be deported to Cuba without receiving the necessary treatment for her recovery.
What challenges do Cuban migrants face when detained by ICE in the United States?
Cuban migrants detained by ICE face harsh conditions and often physical abuse. In addition, they suffer from a lack of adequate medical care, precarious detention conditions, and in many cases, a legal process that does not guarantee their rights. Recent cases have revealed neglect, such as inadequate food and overcrowded conditions, leading to a significant debate about the treatment of immigrants in these facilities.
What is ICE's stance on the allegations of abuse and inadequate conditions in its detention centers?
ICE has stated that it cannot provide details about the medical history of detainees without a signed privacy waiver. However, the agency has not provided clear answers regarding allegations of mistreatment and inadequate conditions in detention centers, leading to significant public scrutiny and criticism of its handling of vulnerable cases.
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