Honduran Man Killed on Virginia Highway Fleeing Immigration Agents

A tragic incident occurred on a Virginia highway involving a Honduran man fleeing immigration enforcement. Josué Castro Rivera, 24, died after being struck by a vehicle while attempting to escape from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. His family described him as having a kind heart and a hardworking spirit, as he had moved to the United States four years ago to support his loved ones back in Honduras.

Details of the Incident

The events unfolded on Thursday when ICE officers conducted a stop on Castro Rivera’s vehicle. This operation was described as “targeted” and “intelligence-based” by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). At the time of the stop, Castro Rivera was en route to a gardening job.

As agents attempted to detain him and the three other passengers, Castro Rivera fled on foot. In a desperate attempt to escape, he ran across Interstate 264 in Norfolk, where he was fatally struck by a passing vehicle—a 2002 Ford pickup truck.

Reaction to the Death

• Virginia State Police reported the crash occurred around 11 a.m. on eastbound I-264 at the Military Highway interchange.
• Castro Rivera was pronounced dead at the scene.
• His brother, Henry Castro, condemned the incident as an injustice and is seeking funds to repatriate Josué’s body for burial in Honduras.

Henry criticized the circumstances surrounding his brother’s death, stating, “He didn’t deserve everything that happened to him.” He expressed discontent with the immigration policies leading to such tragedies.

Broader Context of Immigration Enforcement

This incident is part of a troubling trend, as several recent fatalities have occurred during immigration enforcement operations. Three other immigrant deaths in Chicago and California have raised significant concerns about the methods employed by ICE under the current administration.

• Last month, a Mexican man was shot by federal agents during a traffic stop in suburban Chicago.
• In July, a farmworker died after falling during an ICE raid at a cannabis facility in California.
• A man was also killed in August after fleeing into traffic to avoid federal agents in California.

Federal Response

Following Josué Castro Rivera’s death, the DHS commented that it resulted from the offense of fleeing arrest. They attributed blame to “politicians, activists, and reporters” who allegedly spread misinformation regarding ICE operations.

The ongoing investigation into the circumstances of the crash remains open. As authorities scrutinize the events leading to this tragic loss, calls for accountability and reassessment of immigration enforcement practices continue to mount.