UPDATE: A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent has been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) after allegedly falling asleep at the wheel in Oak Brook, Illinois. Guillermo Diaz-Torres, aged 33 and from Albuquerque, New Mexico, was taken into custody on October 26, 2023, just hours after finishing an 18-hour shift at the ICE processing facility in Broadview.
The incident raises serious questions about the conduct of an agent involved in Operation Midway Blitz, a controversial immigration enforcement initiative. Officials have emphasized that DUI offenses are grounds for detaining undocumented immigrants, yet now an agent charged with this very crime faces a December 5 court date in DuPage County.
Authorities report that Diaz-Torres was found in his SUV, which had crashed into a row of shrubs. During the encounter, police noted his slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and a strong odor of alcohol. In body camera footage, Diaz-Torres admitted he had just completed his shift and was on his way to a hotel when he crashed, stating, “I got off shift. I came here.”
When officers queried him about his whereabouts since leaving work, he struggled to provide a clear answer, saying, “I have no idea, sir. I’m not from here.” His refusal to take a Breathalyzer test further complicated the situation as he stated, “I’m not going to do that.”
Legal experts are closely monitoring the case. CBS News Chicago legal analyst Irv Miller stated that the outcome will depend on the criminal proceedings, but Diaz-Torres’s employment status will be determined separately by federal authorities. “The judge has nothing to do with the conditions of his employment,” Miller explained.
The implications of this arrest are profound, especially in light of ICE’s aggressive stance on DUI offenses among undocumented individuals. If Diaz-Torres had previously detained individuals based on DUI charges, the irony is stark.
Currently, Diaz-Torres has no prior criminal record, as confirmed by court records reviewed by CBS News Chicago. His attorney has declined to comment on the matter, while the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has yet to provide a statement regarding the incident.
As details continue to emerge, this case highlights the complexities and potential hypocrisy within immigration enforcement practices. The public is urged to follow this developing story closely, as it raises critical questions about accountability and enforcement standards within ICE.
Stay tuned for updates as this case unfolds.
