From Victim to Target: The Struggles of Felipe Hernandez Amid ICE Policies

Wed Oct 22 2025 08:16:36 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Felipe de Jesus Hernandez Marcelo faces impending removal after surviving a violent shooting in Iowa, revealing the harsh realities of immigration policies affecting crime victims.

Felipe Hernandez was shot during a robbery, but instead of receiving support, he was arrested by ICE when seeking his belongings at a police station. His story illustrates the detrimental effects of current immigration policies on crime victims, which discourage them from reporting incidents and cooperating with law enforcement. A recent court ruling challenged his indefinite detention, highlighting the urgent need for policy reform and better protections for vulnerable immigrant communities.

MUSCATINE, Iowa — Felipe de Jesus Hernandez Marcelo hobbled out of the hospital on crutches days after a shooting that nearly cost him his life. Hernandez, 28, was shot during an attempted robbery in Muscatine on June 21, painfully enduring injuries that left him with a bullet wound through his arm and leg.

After his assault, Hernandez sought the return of his personal belongings from the police, unaware that this moment would lead to his detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Instead of receiving the support typically afforded to victims, he found himself caught in a tightening web of immigration enforcement as policies under the Trump administration increasingly ensnared crime victims.

Victims Become Targets

Recent policy changes have made it routine for crime victims, like Hernandez, to be detained amid efforts to enforce immigration laws aggressively. This shift has resulted in a marked decrease in applications for protective visas among victims, as potential applicants fear repercussions from their status.

“The new normal” as described by critics of these policies is harmful not only to those impacted but also undermines public safety by inhibiting reporting of crimes. “Any contact with law enforcement can lead to detention by ICE,” remarked attorney Dan Kowalski.

A Life Altered

Hernandez’s life has been drastically altered as he remains separated from his 9-year-old son and denied essential medical care post-shooting. While recovering from severe gunshot wounds, he found himself at Muscatine County Jail due to an old traffic warrant, a misstep that led to his being handed over to ICE.

His mother expressed anguish at the unjust separation, voicing concerns about her son’s well-being and the emotional toll on her grandson, who believes his father has abandoned him. “What’s happening to my son is very unfair,” she testified, reflecting the sorrow felt by families caught in such situations.

Legal Battles and Advocacy

The current legal landscape surrounding Hernandez’s detention highlights systemic flaws. Despite a federal judge ruling against mandatory detention without a bond hearing, ICE’s policies still pose serious hurdles for Hernandez and many like him seeking to reclaim their lives post-trauma.

His story is not an isolated incident; thousands remain in similar predicaments, caught in a cycle of fear that discourages them from coming forward. Advocates urge for reforms that restore protections for crime victims, which would ensure their safety and cooperation in reporting crimes without fear of repercussions.

A Call for Change

Hernandez’s case serves as a poignant reminder of the intersection between immigration enforcement and the safety of victims. As he continues to navigate the complexities of this harrowing journey, his plea for justice underscores the urgent need for a compassionate reevaluation of immigration policies that affect the most vulnerable among us.