Just three days after he helped save a 9-year-old girl from a shark attack, 31-year-old Luis Alvarez is now in ICE custody and facing possible deportation.
Alvarez, a Nicaraguan national, was arrested earlier this month in Immokalee, Florida, for allegedly driving without a valid U.S. driver’s license, according to an arrest report reviewed by PEOPLE. When stopped by police around 1:30 a.m. on June 14 for driving without headlights, Alvarez presented a photo of his U.S. Employment Authorization Document but had no valid license on record, the report says.
Alvarez reportedly told the officer he had been in the U.S. for two and a half years. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) later confirmed that Alvarez entered the country unlawfully in December 2022. Following his arrest by Collier County deputies, ICE placed a hold on Alvarez and he is now in custody with bail set at $150. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 9.
Court records show Alvarez had previously been cited multiple times in Lee County for driving without a license. Most of the cases were resolved with fines or adjudication withheld. His most recent violation led to a license suspension on June 23.
Despite his legal troubles, Alvarez was hailed as a hero just days before his arrest.
On June 11, a young girl named Leah Lendel was bitten by a shark while swimming off the coast of Boca Grande, Florida. Alvarez was among a group of construction workers who rushed to help after hearing screams. One of those workers, Alfonso Tello, described seeing an 8-foot shark as Leah emerged from the water missing a hand.
Alvarez reportedly dove into the water and helped bring Leah to safety, despite the danger. “He went deep underwater, not even caring about the shark. He probably faced the shark,” said Raynel Lugo, another worker on the scene. “He’s a real decent guy.”
Leah was airlifted to the hospital and underwent a six-hour emergency surgery. Her mother confirmed the next day that doctors were able to reattach her hand.
The arrest and ICE detention of Alvarez have raised questions about immigration enforcement partnerships with local police — especially when they affect individuals praised for acts of bravery. A spokesperson for ICE said Alvarez’s detention followed a routine coordination with Homeland Security.
Attorney Jose Calvo, who previously represented Alvarez, has not commented publicly on the case.
Alvarez remains in custody as the legal process plays out, but to those who saw him in action that day on the beach, he’s not a criminal — he’s a hero.
