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The incident involving asylum-seeker Yerlys Moreno López in Detroit has raised significant concerns about the practices of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Following her arrest, Moreno López was taken to the hospital for severe injuries, yet her family remains in the dark about her medical condition.
Moreno López encountered ICE agents on May 19 when they attempted to pull her over near her residence. ICE reports indicate she fled, resulting in a collision and subsequent arrest after a short pursuit on foot.
Her husband, who remains unnamed to avoid potential backlash, reported that Moreno López suffered knee injuries and hair loss during the arrest. Despite her hospitalization, the Detroit Medical Center (DMC) has not only refused to provide updates to her family but has also blocked all visitation attempts.
DMC and ICE: A Question of Transparency
Amidst allegations of ICE’s influence, Moreno López’s husband suspects the agency requested DMC to withhold information. This practice, reportedly more common under the current administration, raises questions about adherence to ICE guidelines.
Tammy Battaglia, a spokesperson for DMC, has not commented despite repeated inquiries. Meanwhile, Moreno López’s lawyer, Michael Drew, expressed frustration over the lack of private communication with his client, which contravenes ICE’s standards for legal consultations.
Detroit City Councilmember Gabriela Santiago-Romero disclosed that a DMC staff member cited federal privacy laws as the reason for not sharing medical details. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) does allow sharing of patient information with family unless objected by the patient, but the final decision rests with the hospital, especially if law enforcement intervenes.
“I believe (Moreno-López’s husband) has the right to know the condition of his wife’s health,” Santiago-Romero stated, highlighting the distress caused by the hospital’s compliance with ICE’s request.
Controversial Circumstances
Moreno López, who has no U.S. criminal record, was permitted entry under a parole program in 2024 and is pursuing asylum due to threats in Venezuela. ICE claims the pursuit began when she failed to stop, causing her vehicle to catch fire after a collision.
The Detroit police have confirmed the severe damage to the vehicle, which was subsequently impounded. Her husband, also an asylum seeker, described the arrest as “a brutal act” and remains deeply concerned for their family, including their young son and grandchildren.
An ICE spokesperson dismissed allegations of misconduct, providing photos and an account of the collision to support their stance.
Editor’s note: Since this story published in Outlier on May 28, Moreno López was transferred to North Lake. Her husband still hasn’t spoken with her.
This article first appeared on Outlier Media and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
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