Virginia Members of Congress Welcome Investigation Into José Mejía Hernandez Case
September 4, 2026 (Arlington, Va.) — Arlington County Police have formally opened an investigation into the Aug. 11 encounter between federal immigration officers and José Mejía Hernandez, an Arlington man who suffered a traumatic brain injury, internal bleeding and extensive facial injuries following the encounter.
The investigation comes one week after the Falls Church News-Press reported that Mejía Hernandez and his attorneys formally filed a police report with Arlington County Police and presented evidence while asking detectives to investigate whether ICE officers committed crimes during the encounter.
The News-Press first reported Aug. 27 that Mejía Hernandez and attorneys with Gastélum Law and The Jurado Firm planned to appear at Arlington police headquarters the following morning to file the report and seek a criminal investigation. On Aug. 28, the News-Press reported that the filing had been made and that attorneys had provided police with video and other evidence while requesting that a detective be assigned to the case.
Friday’s announcement marks a significant development in that effort: Arlington police are now formally investigating.
Virginia members of Congress welcomed the decision Friday. Rep. Don Beyer, Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, and Reps. Suhas Subramanyam and James Walkinshaw issued a joint statement supporting the investigation.
“We strongly support the Arlington County Police Department’s decision to open this investigation, which is essential to establishing how José Mejía Hernandez suffered serious injuries,” the lawmakers said.
They continued:
“We strongly support the Arlington County Police Department’s decision to open this investigation, which is essential to establishing how José Mejía Hernandez suffered serious injuries. These included internal bleeding and a brain injury after an encounter with ICE agents. It is unfortunate that the Trump Administration has abandoned its responsibilities to hold federal agents under their command accountable, leaving state and local jurisdictions to do the job the Administration refuses to do to maintain law and order and protect the public.
“That failure is fueling a pattern of unchecked violence, rights violations, and chaos, in some cases with deadly consequences. If this investigation finds that ICE agents’ misconduct caused Mr. Mejía Hernandez’ injuries or impeded his medical treatment, they must face consequences.
“We will continue seeking answers about what happened to Mr. Mejía Hernandez in Arlington, and working to ensure he receives access to the medical care and support he needs to recover.”
The Department of Homeland Security has previously disputed Mejía Hernandez’s account of the Aug. 11 encounter. DHS has said he attempted to flee officers and that agents used necessary force to take him into custody. His attorneys have challenged that account and called for an independent investigation to determine precisely how he sustained his injuries.
The News-Press will continue following the Arlington investigation and seeking responses from local and federal authorities.
