NORFOLK, Va. — A tragic incident occurred Thursday morning when Jose Castro-Rivera, 24, was struck and killed by a vehicle while reportedly trying to flee U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Interstate 264 in Norfolk. ICE officials confirmed that Castro-Rivera was in the country illegally.
According to ICE, officers attempted to detain Castro-Rivera during a targeted enforcement operation. The man ran into traffic and was struck by a passing vehicle. ICE agents performed CPR at the scene, but Castro-Rivera was pronounced dead.
“This horrendous outcome could have been prevented had Castro-Rivera complied with our officers,” an ICE spokesperson said.
The incident has sparked concern among immigration advocates and attorneys, who say it highlights a growing climate of fear in immigrant communities. Andrew Reigel, an immigration attorney in Virginia Beach, said, “It’s just tragic that someone is going to risk their life because of something that’s going on of that degree. When something like this happens nearby, it brings it more to life.”
Advocates emphasize that aggressive enforcement actions are causing anxiety not only for undocumented immigrants but also for legal residents. Eduardo Zelaya of We Are CASA stated, “We are being targeted. This goes beyond ideology — it’s transforming into policy. Just because of the way we look or if we have an accent, we are being targeted.”
Reigel urged community members to learn their rights and seek legal guidance. “Knowledge is power. Knowing what you can and can’t do, and what’s going to happen if you are detained, puts you in a better position to make wiser choices,” he said.
The ICE statement described the incident as a result of Castro-Rivera resisting detention and fleeing into traffic, creating a “significant safety risk.” Authorities emphasized that the tragic death could have been avoided if the individual had complied with officers.
The event has prompted renewed discussion on the impact of immigration enforcement policies and the risks faced by those attempting to evade detention.