Gunshot Victim Faces Detention Under Controversial Immigration Policy

Fri Oct 17 2025 00:45:33 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Felipe de Jesus Hernandez Marcelo, a gunshot victim who narrowly escaped death, is now facing indefinite detention as part of new immigration enforcement policies, highlighting troubling implications for crime victims in the U.S.

Felipe de Jesus Hernandez Marcelo was shot during a robbery attempt in Iowa on June 21. After being hospitalized for serious injuries, he approached police to retrieve his belongings, only to be arrested on an old warrant and turned over to ICE. His case underscores a concerning trend where crime victims, especially immigrants, risk detention instead of receiving protection. A federal judge recently deemed his ongoing detention illegal and ordered a bond hearing, marking a significant development amidst the debate over immigration enforcement priorities.

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — Days after an assailant’s bullet tore through two of his limbs, Felipe de Jesus Hernandez Marcelo hobbled out of the hospital on crutches.

Hernandez, a 28-year-old father, nearly died in the early morning of June 21 when, police say, a troubled young man shot him during an attempted robbery in Muscatine, Iowa. Quick emergency response saved his life, although the shooting left him wounded with a bullet traveling through his arm and leg.

Three days later, Hernandez visited the police station to reclaim his belongings, unaware that this might mark the last moments of freedom he would experience in the U.S.

Hernandez's situation is emblematic of a troubling trend for crime victims in the context of immigration enforcement during the Trump administration, as a growing number of victims like him have faced arrests and detentions.

In January, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) rescinded a policy that had previously offered protection to many crime victims. This policy shift has led to a significant decrease in applications for victim visas, leaving many vulnerable individuals at risk of detention.

Critics argue that such policies not only add insult to injury for victims but undermine public safety by discouraging undocumented individuals from reporting crimes.

“This type of situation has become the new normal. Any interaction with law enforcement puts undocumented individuals at risk of detention,” remarked Dan Kowalski, a retired immigration attorney.

ICE declined to comment on the matter. The recent policies stem from an executive order signed by President Trump aimed at strict immigration enforcement.

A native of Mexico, Hernandez has been held in federal detention since seeking help to recover his belongings. Arrested for an old traffic ticket, he was swiftly turned over to ICE custody.

During his time in detention, he has been unable to see his 9-year-old son or attend critical medical appointments for his recovery.

On the night he was shot, Hernandez was found bleeding and struggling to communicate at the scene. Officers quickly provided emergency care before he was transported to a hospital where he underwent life-saving surgery.

Hernandez later testified about the severe conditions in detention, including prolonged pain and lack of access to necessary medications, leading to his request for release on bond.

Authorities have since arrested the two individuals suspected of the robbery and shooting. Hernandez is eligible for a U visa, which protects crime victims, but his petition is stalled, highlighting further challenges within immigration enforcement practices.

This shocking case underscores the significant changes in immigration policy that have trampled upon the protections afforded to crime victims, leading advocates to demand urgent reforms.