A man detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minnesota was reportedly denied essential medication following a recent kidney transplant while he was in custody.
Javier Abreu-Vasquez was taken into custody on Thursday, Feb. 5, while delivering groceries for a church-based mutual aid network in Rochester, according to reports from The Post Bulletin and MPR News.
Minnesota state Rep. Kim Hicks became aware of the situation after speaking with Abreu-Vasquez’s family. She personally delivered his transplant medication to the federal building where he was being held. However, when an attorney later attempted to visit Abreu-Vasquez, access was denied. Officials reportedly told the attorney that a medical note was required before the medication could be administered.
According to The Post Bulletin, Abreu-Vasquez’s family obtained the requested medical documentation and sent it to authorities. Despite this, officials later told the family that he was already receiving his medication — a claim that led to further confusion and concern.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also stated that Abreu-Vasquez had access to his medication, according to MPR News. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that ICE was aware of Abreu-Vasquez’s kidney transplant and had received medication and medical records from his family.
“ICE is working with the family to ensure he gets all of his needed medications,” McLaughlin said, adding that ICE provides medical care from the moment a detainee enters custody.
Witnesses told The Post Bulletin that during Abreu-Vasquez’s detention, his vehicle “was rammed and a window was broken.”
After his arrest, Abreu-Vasquez was taken to the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis. He later informed family members that he was scheduled to be transferred to a detention facility in Texas the following day. However, his attorney has been unable to confirm whether that transfer occurred. His wife, Carolina Rosario De Abreu, told MPR News she had not received updated information about his location.
“We’re still trying to identify what is and what is not happening,” Hicks told The Post Bulletin. “It’s a game of telephone.”
Hicks later said she had learned that Abreu-Vasquez was transferred to Texas and that his medication was not being provided on a timely basis. She said she is deeply concerned that DHS is failing to provide proper medical care and putting his life at risk.
In a separate statement, McLaughlin described Abreu-Vasquez as an undocumented immigrant from the Dominican Republic. Hicks disputed that characterization, noting that Abreu-Vasquez has an alien registration number, which is issued by the U.S. government for tracking and administrative purposes.
“Javier is a good neighbor who we miss dearly,” Hicks said. “We cannot wait another minute to ensure he is getting the proper care he needs to survive. He belongs back in Minnesota — with his community, with his family, and with everyone who loves him.”
DHS did not respond to a request for comment on Sunday, Feb. 8.
