A 24-year-old Honduran man was struck and killed by a passing vehicle while fleeing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during a targeted raid in Virginia, according to federal authorities. The death has reignited national scrutiny of immigration enforcement tactics under President Donald Trump's administration.
The Department of Homeland Security identified the victim as Josue Castro-Rivera, who died Thursday morning near Norfolk after running from agents conducting a "targeted enforcement action." ICE said officers had approached a vehicle believed to contain individuals residing in the U.S. without legal status when Castro-Rivera bolted into traffic along U.S. Route 13 and was hit by an oncoming car.
"The individual's decision to flee led to this tragic outcome," ICE said in a statement, adding that its officers "identified themselves and issued lawful commands." The agency said its Office of Professional Responsibility is reviewing the incident. The driver involved in the collision immediately stopped and cooperated with police; no charges have been filed.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic. Several passengers reportedly scattered from the vehicle when ICE agents surrounded it. A woman who identified herself as Castro-Rivera's cousin told local reporters that he ran "out of fear of deportation." The Honduran consulate in Washington said it is seeking further information and assisting the victim's family.
Relatives told Spanish-language media that Castro-Rivera had lived in the U.S. for several years and worked in the construction industry. His family has begun raising funds to repatriate his remains to Honduras.
The fatal incident comes amid a surge in immigration enforcement operations under President Trump, who has expanded ICE's authority to conduct unannounced raids in residential areas, workplaces, and even near schools and courthouses. Federal agents have increasingly coordinated with local law enforcement, heightening tensions in immigrant communities across the country.
Videos circulating on social media in recent months have shown officers detaining people in parking lots, gas stations, and outside businesses, prompting criticism from civil rights groups. Advocacy organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have called the tactics "aggressive and dangerous," citing cases where individuals with valid residency documents or U.S. citizenship were mistakenly detained.
Federal agents' tactics have drawn widespread criticism from advocacy groups across the country, who say aggressive enforcement operations create panic and heighten the risk of tragedy. Civil rights organizations have documented incidents in which individuals were detained without proper identification or warrants, raising renewed concerns about oversight and due process.
ICE officials defended the Virginia operation, saying it complied with standard procedures and involved "a targeted enforcement action" rather than a random sweep. "Our officers follow the law and act professionally in the performance of their duties," the agency stated. Federal authorities said initial findings from the internal review will be made public when available.
