A tragic collision in northeast Harris County has devastated a Houston family and reignited debates about immigration enforcement policies.
According to the Washington Examiner, seven-year-old Ivory Smith was killed on December 1 when an intoxicated driver, Joel Enrique Gonzalez Chacin, a Venezuelan national illegally present in the United States, crashed into her family's vehicle.
The incident has sparked outrage as details emerged about Chacin's prior criminal record and his release from custody despite an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer. Chacin, 41, was arrested and charged with intoxicated manslaughter following the crash that also left Ivory's mother with serious injuries.
Chacin's involvement in the fatal accident occurred after his release from Harris County Jail, where Sheriff Ed Gonzalez has maintained a policy of non-cooperation with ICE since 2017.
The Venezuelan national had been previously arrested in June for allegedly assaulting a family member. A judge reduced his felony charge to a misdemeanor and sentenced him to time served, allowing his release despite an active ICE detainer.
The family member's statement regarding the tragedy was particularly poignant. They questioned the system that allowed such events to unfold:
How can a system allow such leniency, where a person with such a record is given a chance to walk free and re-offend? Even more troubling is the fact that this individual was released after being detained earlier this year, only to find themselves back in custody after causing irreparable harm. Why do we have holds in place if they fail to keep dangerous individuals off our streets?
ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston office has once again lodged a detainer request following Chacin's arrest for the fatal crash. The agency emphasizes that detainers are crucial for public safety, allowing arrests to occur in controlled settings rather than in communities.
Houston's position as the largest city closest to the border has made it particularly vulnerable to crime related to illegal border crossings. The city has experienced significant challenges with violent crimes committed by unauthorized immigrants. Harris County's adoption of sanctuary policies under Democratic leadership has complicated law enforcement efforts.
Recent events have prompted some changes in local governance. November elections saw voters removing several incumbent judges, driven by a bipartisan coalition's campaign highlighting victims of violent repeat offenders. However, Sheriff Gonzalez, who maintains the non-cooperation policy with ICE, retained his position.
The tragedy adds to growing concerns about Venezuelan migrants in Houston. This incident follows the alleged murder of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray by two Venezuelan nationals earlier in the year. The Biden administration has reported over one million illegal border crossings by Venezuelan nationals, contributing to expanded criminal activity in major Texas cities.
The Smith family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover expenses and pursue justice for Ivory. ICE continues to advocate for stronger cooperation with local authorities, emphasizing that sanctuary policies can inadvertently protect dangerous criminals who pose risks to their communities.
The death of seven-year-old Ivory Smith has become a focal point in Houston's ongoing debate about immigration enforcement and public safety. The second-grader's life was cut short in a drunk driving incident involving Joel Enrique Gonzalez Chacin, an undocumented Venezuelan national with a prior criminal record.
The case highlights the complex interplay between local law enforcement policies and federal immigration enforcement, particularly in Harris County, where sanctuary policies remain in effect despite growing concerns about public safety. The tragedy has sparked renewed calls for reform in both immigration enforcement and judicial handling of repeat offenders.
