Ford Worker Detained by ICE Faces Death by Torture, Wife Fears

Newsweek - Mar 19th, 2025
Open on Newsweek

Alberto Lovo Rojas, a Nicaraguan immigrant living in Spokane, Washington, faces potential deportation after being detained by ICE, sparking fears for his life. His wife, Dora Yisel Morales Diaz, claims that returning to Nicaragua could lead to Alberto's death due to his political activism against the Ortega regime. Alberto, who fled Nicaragua in 2019 seeking asylum in the U.S., has been living in Spokane since 2020 and has been employed by Ford. His detention has left his family deeply concerned for his health and future, as he suffers from medical vulnerabilities and has no criminal record.

The story underscores the broader context of immigration policies under President Donald Trump's administration, which has vowed mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. This case highlights the challenges faced by asylum seekers, especially those fleeing political persecution. Alberto's supporters, including friends who have known him since his arrival in the U.S., argue that his situation exemplifies the flaws in the immigration system, as he has been a contributing member of the community with strong ties and no criminal background. The family continues to fight for his release, emphasizing the American values of safety, freedom, and opportunity for all, while the situation remains tense and unresolved.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a compelling narrative of Alberto Lovo Rojas' situation, effectively highlighting the personal impact of immigration policies. It excels in clarity and timeliness, presenting a well-structured account that is relevant to ongoing debates. However, the story's accuracy is somewhat limited by its reliance on personal testimonies without sufficient corroboration from official sources. The lack of diverse perspectives affects the balance, and the source quality could be improved with input from independent experts or documents. Despite these limitations, the article successfully engages readers by humanizing complex policy issues and addressing significant public interest topics. Overall, it contributes to discussions about immigration and human rights, although a more comprehensive exploration of the broader context and opposing viewpoints would enhance its impact and credibility.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story provides a detailed account of Alberto Lovo Rojas' situation, including his detention by ICE, his health conditions, and the political persecution he faced in Nicaragua. These claims are largely consistent with known information about similar cases, but specific details such as the exact circumstances of his detention and his health conditions would benefit from additional verification. The story accurately reflects the broader context of U.S. immigration policies and political conditions in Nicaragua, although it lacks direct citations or corroboration from official sources or documents. The claim about Alberto's risk of torture upon deportation aligns with reports of political repression in Nicaragua, but it remains a predictive assertion that requires cautious interpretation.

6
Balance

The article predominantly presents the perspective of Alberto Lovo Rojas and his supporters, focusing on his personal story and the perceived injustices of the immigration system. While it includes a statement from the White House press secretary about the administration's stance on undocumented migrants, it lacks a broader range of viewpoints, such as those from ICE officials or immigration policy experts. This focus may lead to an imbalance by emphasizing the personal narrative over a more comprehensive exploration of the issue.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, accessible language to convey the story of Alberto Lovo Rojas. It effectively organizes information into sections that cover different aspects of the situation, such as his background, detention, and the broader political context. The narrative is easy to follow, and the tone remains neutral, focusing on factual reporting rather than emotional appeal. However, the article could improve clarity by providing more detailed explanations of certain terms and processes, such as the asylum procedure.

5
Source quality

The article cites statements from Alberto's wife, Dora Yisel Morales Diaz, and a supporter, Lizzie Myers, which provide personal insights into his situation. However, the reliance on these sources without corroboration from official records or third-party verification limits the overall source quality. The article does not reference any primary documents, such as court or immigration records, that could substantiate its claims, and it lacks input from independent experts or analysts.

6
Transparency

The article provides a clear narrative of Alberto's situation, but it lacks transparency regarding its sources and the methods used to gather information. While it mentions that Newsweek contacted ICE and Ford for comment, it does not disclose whether any responses were received or considered. Additionally, the article would benefit from greater transparency about the basis for certain claims, such as Alberto's health conditions and the specifics of his asylum case.

Sources

  1. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/feb/12/a-spokane-man-who-fled-the-nicaraguan-government-i/
  2. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/may/31/i-have-a-new-family-nicaraguan-refugee-released-to/
  3. https://www.ice.gov/doclib/foia/icefoialogs/2021-02_%20FOIA_Log.xlsx
  4. https://www.ice.gov/doclib/foia/icefoialogs/2019-03_%20FOIA_Log.xlsx
  5. https://www.splcenter.org/resources/stories/man-feared-death-covid-19-inside-immigrant-prison/