Luis Alvarez, 31, hailed as a hero for helping save a 9-year-old girl during a shark attack in Florida, is now in ICE custody and facing possible deportation—just days after his act of bravery.
Alvarez was one of several men who rushed to aid young Leah Lendel after she was attacked by a suspected bull shark while snorkeling near the shore in Boca Grande on June 9. Witnesses say Alvarez dove into the water without hesitation, attempting to scare off the shark and rescue the girl, whose hand was partially severed in the attack.
“He went deep underwater, not even caring about the shark,” said Raynel Lugo, another good Samaritan who helped. “He probably faced the shark.”
Alvarez helped pull the injured girl from the water, and he and others used towels to stem the bleeding until first responders arrived. Leah was then airlifted to a hospital, where doctors were able to save her hand. She now faces a long road to recovery, including extensive therapy.
But less than a week later, Alvarez was pulled over by police at 1:30 a.m. on June 14 for driving without headlights. When asked for identification, he showed a photo of his Employment Authorization Card and admitted—speaking in Spanish—that he had been in the U.S. for over two years and never had a driver’s license.
Originally from Boaco, Nicaragua, Alvarez was arrested for driving without a license and issued a warning for the headlight violation. He’s now being held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Collier County Jail and is scheduled to appear before a judge on July 9.
While Alvarez has no arrest history in Collier County, court records show four previous charges for driving without a license in neighboring Lee County. In most cases, he paid fines or had judgments withheld, but in the most recent case, a judge issued a D6 suspension due to unpaid fines—making him ineligible to apply for a license.
Despite his legal troubles, supporters say Alvarez’s courage during the shark attack shouldn’t be overshadowed.
Bodycam footage from the June 9 incident captured the terrifying moments as rescue crews and civilians, including Alvarez, helped save Leah’s life. Her mother, Nadia Lendel, described the horror of seeing her daughter’s bloodied hand: “I see her hand hanging, like a piece, and there’s blood everywhere.”
As the community rallies around the Lendel family, many are also raising questions about the fate of the man who risked his life to save their daughter.
A spokesperson for ICE has not commented on Alvarez’s pending deportation case. The situation highlights growing tension over immigration enforcement—even as undocumented residents step forward in moments of crisis.
For now, Alvarez remains behind bars, his future uncertain, despite having performed what many consider a selfless and heroic act.
