In brief
Felipe de Jesus Hernandez Marcelo, a 28-year-old Mexican man, has been denied bond by an immigration judge after being shot in a robbery. In ICE custody since June, Hernandez is seeking a U visa meant to protect crime victims but faces deportation despite his cooperation with authorities. His lawyer argues he is not a flight risk while the judge emphasizes his illegal status in the country.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An immigration judge has denied bond to Felipe de Jesus Hernandez Marcelo, 28, who has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since seeking police help after a near-fatal shooting in Iowa. Hernandez, who entered the U.S. illegally from Mexico in 2021, was shot in a robbery in Muscatine, Iowa on June 21. Detained by ICE days later, he is attempting to secure a special U visa targeting crime victims.Despite being in the process of applying for this visa, which aims to encourage victims to report crimes without fear of deportation, Hernandez remains in custody. This comes after ICE rescinded a previous policy shielding crime victims from deportation. Hernandez, who has been in custody since June, faces a precarious journey ahead as he navigates the judicial system while his health falters.During a recent bond hearing, Hernandez's attorney argued he posed no flight risk or danger to the community, especially as he is a key witness against his assailants, one of whom has already pleaded guilty. However, the presiding Judge Alexandra Larsen stated that it remains uncertain if he qualifies for the visa and cited his undocumented status and prior traffic violations as reasons for denying bond.Currently, Hernandez faces dire consequences: he has been unable to attend medical appointments essential for his recovery, is separated from his young son, and has lost his job in construction. His legal team is committed to fighting for his release as they highlight evidence indicating he is not a threat to public safety.
