ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) \u2013 A Rochester man was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents Thursday, without the medication needed to treat his recent transplant. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen someone is detained and they have complex medical needs, we work with our federal delegation partners,\u201d Hicks said. \u201cIn this case, it was Senator [Tina] Smith\u2019s office, to help make sure that they have access to their medications and immediate medical needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hicks said the senator\u2019s office \u201cpromptly\u201d connected her with ICE to be able to bring Abreu-Vasquez his medication. She said she met agents outside the building. <\/p>\n
\u201cMy understanding is that he has received the medications,\u201d Hicks said. \u201cThere was a little bit of misunderstanding and confusion about whether or not a doctor\u2019s note was needed, but he has had his medication and a doctor\u2019s note indicating his condition, and the type of medications and the care that he needs has been provided to the federal agencies.\u201d<\/p>\n
The representative said federal agents would not allow his attorney to visit him at Whipple, to ensure he was receiving proper care. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt happened so fast that that is the point,\u201d Hicks said. \u201cChaos and confusion makes it really hard to execute your rights.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hicks believes, but has not confirmed, he has now been transported to a Texas detention facility. She said there\u2019s been a change in how immigration enforcement is being executed, even from a couple years ago. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt used to be, even under the first Trump administration, that it was people who had committed crimes [who were being detained],\u201d Hicks said. \u201cThey maybe hadn\u2019t even been convicted yet, but they were charged with crimes. Now it\u2019s not even crimes. He was out delivering food.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just people,\u201d she added. \u201cPeople 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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:<\/p>\n
\u201cOn 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt 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.\u00a0This is the best healthcare many aliens have received in their entire lives.\u201d<\/p>\n