ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – A Rochester man was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents Thursday, without the medication needed to treat his recent transplant.
According to Rep. Kim Hicks (DFL-Rochester), the man, identified by ICE as Javier Abreu-Vasquez, was out delivering groceries when ICE agents t-boned his car, broke his window, and dragged him out of the vehicle. She also said he has the legal status to be in the United States.
However, she said Abreu-Vasquez has certain medical needs that require him to take medication that was not brought in with him during his arrest.
“When someone is detained and they have complex medical needs, we work with our federal delegation partners,” Hicks said. “In this case, it was Senator [Tina] Smith’s office, to help make sure that they have access to their medications and immediate medical needs.”
Hicks said the senator’s office “promptly” connected her with ICE to be able to bring Abreu-Vasquez his medication. She said she met agents outside the building.
“My understanding is that he has received the medications,” Hicks said. “There was a little bit of misunderstanding and confusion about whether or not a doctor’s note was needed, but he has had his medication and a doctor’s note indicating his condition, and the type of medications and the care that he needs has been provided to the federal agencies.”
The representative said federal agents would not allow his attorney to visit him at Whipple, to ensure he was receiving proper care.
“It happened so fast that that is the point,” Hicks said. “Chaos and confusion makes it really hard to execute your rights.”
Hicks believes, but has not confirmed, he has now been transported to a Texas detention facility. She said there’s been a change in how immigration enforcement is being executed, even from a couple years ago.
“It used to be, even under the first Trump administration, that it was people who had committed crimes [who were being detained],” Hicks said. “They maybe hadn’t even been convicted yet, but they were charged with crimes. Now it’s not even crimes. He was out delivering food.”
“It’s just people,” she added. “People who have spouses who work in this community. People whose spouses are green card holders or U.S. citizens. People who were delivering food. And now that car had to be towed. That family has to figure out what to do about that.”
KTTC reached out to ICE to ask a series of questions regarding the detainment, including why he was detained in the first place and where he is now, and received the following response:
“On February 5, ICE arrested Javier Abreu-Vasquez, an illegal alien from the Dominican Republic. ICE is aware of his recent kidney transplant, and his family sent the medications and medical documentation. ICE is working with the family to ensure he gets all of his needed medications.
“It is a longstanding practice to provide comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody. This includes medical, dental, and mental health intake screening within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility, a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. This is the best healthcare many aliens have received in their entire lives.”
Find stories like this and more, in our apps.
Copyright 2026 KTTC. All rights reserved.