DHS Refutes Claims of Asylum Seeker Incident, Says Illegal Immigrant Caused Crash While Fleeing ICE

Department of Homeland Security says the individual is an illegal immigrant with a final order of removal, not an asylum seeker as claimed by Sen. Chris Van Hollen.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 3:22am

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has pushed back on claims by Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., that ICE agents struck an 'asylum seeker.' DHS says the individual is actually a Honduran illegal immigrant with a final order of removal dating back to 2018 who caused a crash while trying to evade arrest.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement agencies and local politicians over sanctuary policies. DHS is accusing the senator of mischaracterizing the situation and encouraging reckless behavior by illegal immigrants trying to avoid arrest.

The details

According to DHS, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers attempted to arrest the individual, identified as Ever Omar Alvarenga-Rios, on Thursday in Baltimore. However, Alvarenga allegedly tried to evade arrest, driving recklessly through the city and then attempting to flee on foot while ignoring law enforcement commands. DHS says the two ICE officers involved were injured and taken to the hospital.

  • On Thursday, ICE officers attempted to arrest Alvarenga in Baltimore.
  • Alvarenga allegedly drove recklessly and fled on foot, causing injuries to the two ICE officers.

The players

Ever Omar Alvarenga-Rios

A Honduran illegal immigrant with a final order of removal dating back to 2018, who allegedly caused a crash while trying to evade arrest by ICE officers.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen

A Democratic senator from Maryland who posted photos on social media of the individual in a hospital bed, describing him as an 'asylum seeker' whose rights were allegedly violated by ICE.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency that oversees immigration enforcement and pushed back on the senator's claims, stating the individual is an illegal immigrant who caused the incident while trying to flee arrest.

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What they’re saying

“This illegal alien broke our laws, resisted arrest, sent two ICE law enforcement officers to the hospital, and endangered the general public. Thankfully both our officers are expected to make a full recovery.”

— Lauren Bis, DHS Acting Assistant Secretary

“Sanctuary politicians must stop encouraging this reckless behavior that endangers illegal aliens, our officers, and the public.”

— Lauren Bis, DHS Acting Assistant Secretary

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local sanctuary policies, with DHS accusing the senator of mischaracterizing the situation and encouraging dangerous behavior by illegal immigrants trying to avoid arrest.