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On August 18, I posted Arlington/Falls Church Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti’s statement on the “deeply disturbing” case of Jose Mejia Hernandez, a Mexican immigrant ” who says he woke up in hospital with a brain haemorrhage after being apprehended by ICE” in Arlington on August 11 when – he says – he “was walking to work…He says he was then struck by what he believes was a Taser or stun gun. From that point, his memory disappears.” WTF??? Even more disturbing, if that’s even possible, is thatMejia Hernandez was fitted with “an ankle monitor prevented doctors from carrying out an MRI needed to assess the extent of his injuries.”
So where do things stand now? Per Telemundo:
- “José Mejía Hernández, inmigrante de origen mexicano que acusa a agentes de ICE de haberlo lesionado de gravedad sin provocación, presentó este viernes una solicitud formal ante la Policía de Arlington, Virginia, para pedir que los oficiales sean investigados penalmente.” (“José Mejía Hernández, an immigrant of Mexican origin who accuses ICE agents of seriously injuring him without provocation, filed a formal request this Friday with the Arlington, Virginia, police, asking for a criminal investigation into the officer”)
- Also: “José Mejía Hernández pidió vía sus abogados que los agentes migratorios enfrenten cargos de tentativa de homicidio y agresión agravada por las heridas que sufrió el pasado 11 de agosto.” (“José Mejía Hernández asked through his lawyers that the immigration agents face charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault for the injuries he sustained on August 11.”)
Per Del. Adele McClure (D-Arlington):
- “It was powerful to stand alongside our neighbors and community members in support of Jose Mejia Hernandez and his call for justice and demand for a criminal investigation into the ICE officers responsible for the brutal attack and brain injury he suffered. No one in our community should have to live in fear of violence or intimidation. Our neighbors deserve to feel safe, supported, and valued. I’ll continue standing alongside our immigrant communities across the 2nd House District and beyond and work to ensure that every neighbor is treated with dignity and respect.”
Also, from the Arlington/Falls Church Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office:
“Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti supports a thorough, independent investigation into Jose Mejía Hernandez’s encounter with ICE agents
August 28, 2026, Arlington, VA: Consistent with her commitment to transparency and accountability, Commonwealth’s Attorney Dehghani-Tafti has supported and requested an investigation into what happened to Mr. Mejia Hernandez on August 11, 2026.
To that end, in addition to calling publicly for a prompt and thorough investigation, the Honorable Parisa Dehghani-Tafti has been working behind the scenes to further an investigation, to help facilitate a direct meeting with detectives from the Arlington County Police Department, and to provide support to Mr. Mejia Hernandez through our victim witness advocates.
Earlier today, Mr. Mejía Hernandez, through counsel, provided a victim statement, attended and held a press conference, and filed a police report.
“The reports that José Mejía Hernandez sustained serious injuries during this encounter warrant a complete and impartial review of the facts,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Dehghani-Tafti. “Public trust in our justice system depends on holding people accountable fairly and consistently, and for the rule of law to be applied without fear or favor. Allegations of significant harm must be examined carefully, transparently, and without regard to an individual’s position or authority. No one is above the law, and I will do my part to ensure that in my community.”
Oh, and make sure to check out the new videos, photos, etc., per the Falls Church News Press.
Finally, I’d just note that yet again, in this case, José Mejía Hernandez wasn’t a violent criminal, wasn’t the “worst of the worst,” but was simply walking to work – emphasis on the word WORK! So yeah, it’s completely unacceptable and outrageous what was done to him, and there needs to be accountability – not just in this case, but in god knows how many other cases since Trump started waging his unhinged war on immigrants.
