California Man Suffered Medical Emergency During 'Violent' Encounter With ICE. He Was Later Deported From the Hospital

A California father was "violently assaulted" by ICE agents, his family says, before suffering a medical emergency—only to be deported from his hospital bed "under cover of darkness" after officials "repeatedly" denied his pleas for a lawyer.

Ulises Peña Lopez, a 30-year-old husband and father of a 3-year-old daughter, was arrested by ICE in Sunnyvale on February 21.

"ICE violently and unlawfully arrested Ulises, leading to his emergency hospitalization," states a GoFundMe campaign to support his family. "Despite asserting his legal rights—to remain silent, to speak with a lawyer, and to stay in his vehicle unless presented with a warrant—ICE officers responded with brutality. They smashed his car window with a baton, dragged him out of his vehicle, and physically assaulted him."

Peña Lopez, who suffers from serious medical conditions, including a blood clot in his neck and a heart condition, collapsed during the arrest and was struggling to breathe. Paramedics rushed him to the hospital, where he was shackled to the bed and allegedly denied food, water, and critical medications.

According to the GoFundMe page, ICE agents also repeatedly prevented him from speaking privately with his attorney: "ICE removed Ulises from the hospital under cover of darkness, right after his family had left for the night. ICE took Ulises into a far-away detention facility, without notifying his wife or his attorney and while ignoring his severe medical needs."

"If they send him back over there, they're sending him to die," Peña Lopez's brother told local news.

ICE, however, claims the arrest was routine. "Lopez experienced a non-specific medical emergency during the arrest, and an ICE agent initiated emergency medical care until he could be transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital for evaluation," an ICE spokesperson told KRON4. They further stated he was discharged on February 22 with no reported injuries before being transferred to a detention facility.

Despite public outcry, ICE is standing by its actions, citing Peña Lopez's previous deportation and a criminal history that includes assault with a deadly weapon and DUI.

"U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is aware of news and social media accounts with reports on the recent arrest of illegal alien Ulises Pena-Lopez which are inaccurate and not supported by facts," the ICE spokesperson added.

The GoFundMe has raised over $20,000, to help cover Peña Lopez's family's rent, legal fees, and basic needs.