Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

mahatmakanejeeves

(65,662 posts)
Fri Jul 4, 2025, 09:31 AM Jul 4

Court records: Man who helped rescue Bradenton girl from shark attack detained by ICE

FLORIDA
Court records: Man who helped rescue Bradenton girl from shark attack detained by ICE

Luis Alvarez was one of several men who rushed into the water to help free the 9-year-old girl's hand from the shark.

Author: Alexa Herrera
Published: 3:18 PM EDT July 1, 2025
Updated: 4:03 PM EDT July 1, 2025

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — A man who dived into the water to help rescue a little girl who was attacked by a shark in southwest Florida is now being held by immigration officials, according to court records.

Luis Alvarez, 31, was pulled over at 1:49 a.m. on June 14 in Collier County for reportedly driving a gray SUV with a Rhode Island license plate without headlights. When the officer asked for his driver's license, Alvarez pulled up a picture of his U.S. employment authorization card, according to county court records.

Alvarez, who is originally from Nicaragua, reportedly told the officer he was driving without a license. He said he had been in the country for 2.5 years without a driver's license, according to a jail booking report.

He was arrested, charged with not having a driver's license and is on hold for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to county court records.
Multiple news outlets, including the CBS affiliate WINK in southwest Florida and USA Today, reported that Alvarez is the same man who helped rescue a 9-year-old Bradenton girl who nearly lost her hand to a shark off Boca Grande just days before his arrest.

{snip}


2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Court records: Man who helped rescue Bradenton girl from shark attack detained by ICE (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves Jul 4 OP
Welcome to MAGA America Vogon_Glory Jul 4 #1
A point tangential to the case at hand. markodochartaigh Jul 4 #2

markodochartaigh

(3,369 posts)
2. A point tangential to the case at hand.
Fri Jul 4, 2025, 10:24 AM
Jul 4

I've thought for decades that every driver, without regard to their immigration status, should be able and required to get a driver's license and insurance. I don't care why you are here or how you got here, if you are driving in the US you should have a insurance. And there shouldn't be any barriers in your way to get insurance.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Florida»Court records: Man who he...