“No one is above the law.” That was the message from FIEL Houston during a news conference Friday, following the indictment of an ICE agent accused of running over Miguel Parra Hernandez with an SUV in northwest Harris County.
The immigrant-led civil rights and advocacy organization joined Parra Hernandez’s family, his legal team and relatives of a witness to address the latest developments in the case and call for greater accountability.
A Harris County grand jury indicted ICE agent Mario Alberto Morales on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, about 20 days after the October 10 incident.
FIEL Houston’s Cesar Espinosa called the indictment a historic moment for Harris County, saying it sends a clear message that federal agents are not above the law.
“Nobody is above the law,” Espinosa said.
He also pushed back against ICE’S claims that the case is politically motivated.
“To ICE, this is not political. This is our lives. And if you think that justice is political, then you have no idea what justice really means,” Espinosa said.
Attorney Kim Bruno, who represents Parra Hernandez and Luis Delfin, said the newly released body-camera footage shows a different account of the incident than what was initially presented by the federal agency.
“From the beginning, the video told a different story than what was offered by the agency,” Bruno said.
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare previously said the footage shows Morales aggressively steering his vehicle toward Parra Hernandez, striking him and running over both of his legs.
The agent’s initial account to 911 described Parra Hernandez jumping out of a vehicle and hitting his car.
Bruno said Parra Hernandez’s account of what happened has remained consistent.
Much of Friday’s news conference focused on the physical and emotional toll the incident has taken on Parra Hernandez.
Bruno said he has suffered fractures, nerve damage and chronic pain and has undergone surgery.
He is also struggling with anxiety and depression following the incident.
Bruno said Parra Hernandez is currently unable to walk. Doctors plan to try getting him back on his feet in approximately three weeks, but whether he will regain the ability to walk remains uncertain.
His attorney also raised concerns about the conditions surrounding his recovery.
Bruno said officers maintain constant surveillance in his hospital room, making it difficult for him to receive confidential mental health care.
She said Parra Hernandez appears apprehensive about what he says and how he communicates, even while receiving treatment.
Bruno said Parra Hernandez’s primary concern is accountability and making sure the same thing does not happen to someone else.
She described him as someone who continues to worry about others despite being the person suffering in a hospital bed.
FIEL Houston and the legal team are also calling for the immediate release of Parra Hernandez, Luis Delfin and everyone else connected to the case.
Delfin was one of the people detained inside the ICE vehicle during the incident and is considered a witness.
Espinosa said releasing those involved would allow them to cooperate fully with the investigation.
Cassandra Serrano, the niece of Luis Delfin, also spoke during the news conference, saying federal agencies should be held accountable under the law.
“Just because this is a federal agency, they are not above the law,” Serrano said.
Parra Hernandez’s brother, Rodolfo Parra, thanked the community for its support and said the family wants Miguel released as soon as possible so he can have his family around him during recovery.
Espinosa described the indictment as a moment of hope for a community that has felt overlooked.
“A beaten and broken-down community has had a glimpse of hope,” he said.
Bruno also provided an update on Parra Hernandez’s immigration case.
She said immigration authorities were moving forward with an expedited process despite his hospitalization and the pain medication he is taking.
Bruno questioned whether he could meaningfully participate in those proceedings given his medical condition.
A judge granted a continuance, postponing the hearing. A new hearing date had not been set as of Friday’s news conference.
The ICE agent’s attorneys have disputed the prosecution, and ICE has called the indictment a political stunt, questioning the state’s authority to investigate federal officers.
The criminal case remains ongoing, and an indictment is not a conviction.
For Parra Hernandez’s family and legal team, however, Friday’s message was clear: they want accountability, transparency and the opportunity for everyone involved to cooperate with the investigation.
