A 53-year-old man is battling for his life in a suburban hospital after being brutally arrested by federal immigration agents on Sunday morning. Ricardo Rodriguez, who has lived in the United States for over three decades and holds a valid visa, was detained while riding his bike to buy groceries.
According to his niece Stephanie Suaine, Rodriguez's family members were unable to see him at the hospital due to an "agency" restriction that prohibited them from visiting their loved one. Despite repeatedly asking the agents if they were with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), they refused to confirm or deny it.
Rodriguez's arrest was caught on video, which shows ICE agents placing him in a chokehold before striking his head at least once. He then suffered chest pains, prompting medical attention. The family claims that Rodriguez has no criminal record, and he is being held by the federal government despite having a valid visa.
As tensions escalated, supporters gathered outside the hospital to demand answers from hospital authorities. Organizers brought a letter and petition to request that ICE officials leave and allow the family to visit their loved one. However, the security guard who delivered the letter claimed that it would be forwarded to the agency.
Loyola Medicine has stated that federal agencies like ICE are treated equally to all law enforcement personnel if they need to enter hospital facilities. The hospital did not provide further information on Rodriguez's condition or prognosis.
According to his niece Stephanie Suaine, Rodriguez's family members were unable to see him at the hospital due to an "agency" restriction that prohibited them from visiting their loved one. Despite repeatedly asking the agents if they were with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), they refused to confirm or deny it.
Rodriguez's arrest was caught on video, which shows ICE agents placing him in a chokehold before striking his head at least once. He then suffered chest pains, prompting medical attention. The family claims that Rodriguez has no criminal record, and he is being held by the federal government despite having a valid visa.
As tensions escalated, supporters gathered outside the hospital to demand answers from hospital authorities. Organizers brought a letter and petition to request that ICE officials leave and allow the family to visit their loved one. However, the security guard who delivered the letter claimed that it would be forwarded to the agency.
Loyola Medicine has stated that federal agencies like ICE are treated equally to all law enforcement personnel if they need to enter hospital facilities. The hospital did not provide further information on Rodriguez's condition or prognosis.
this is so unfair 
, Ricardo was just trying to get some groceries and ended up being brutally arrested 
... I'm shocked that the hospital can't even allow his family to visit him due to an "agency" restriction 
it sounds like a total bureaucratic nightmare 
... how are we supposed to know what's really going on here? 
it's just so frustrating when people get caught in these situations without any clear answers 
... the video footage is super disturbing, I can only imagine how scared and hurt Ricardo must be feeling right now 
! I mean, how can the government do this to someone who has been living here for over 30 years and has a valid visa? Ricardo seems like an innocent guy just trying to buy some groceries on his bike ride... 
. I'm all for enforcing laws, but not at the expense of human dignity and rights! 
. The video footage of the arrest is shocking too – who does this? 
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. This is crazy! He's been living in the US for like 30+ years, has a valid visa, and gets detained like this? 
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We need better policies that protect people like Ricardo, not create more suffering. Let's keep supporting him and his family until justice is served - 
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. Like, I get it, there are laws and all that, but come on! Ricardo's just trying to buy some milk for his family and gets taken down by ICE agents 
. And now he's fighting for his life? 
I mean, I'm all for keeping our borders secure and stuff, but this has to be an overreaction 
. And can we please just get some clarity on what's going on here? Like, is ICE even involved in this or not? 
and it makes me so angry that his family can't even see him in the hospital because of some arbitrary agency rule 