A Mexican tourist who was struck and killed by a semi-truck while fleeing US federal immigration officers in Florida was visiting the country on a valid tourist visa, according to reports published this week.

Tourist Dies During Immigration Operation

Juan Jairo Coronilla Durán, 28, died on 14 July after an encounter with federal officials, including personnel from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), at a gas station in Florida, according to state authorities.

Officials said federal agents approached Coronilla and four other men at the service station on the morning of 14 July. The group then ran from the scene. A spokesperson for the Florida Highway Patrol said Coronilla entered a roadway and was hit by a passing semi-truck.

Reports Detail Visit to the United States

According to the Miami Herald, Coronilla, who was from the Mexican state of Guanajuato, had arrived in the United States about three weeks before his death. He initially travelled to Atlanta to visit relatives and friends before heading to Florida two days before the incident to spend time at the beach.

The newspaper reported that Coronilla was visiting the country on a tourist visa.

His wife travelled to the United States after his death to make arrangements. An immigrant rights organisation, Colectivo Árbol, told the Miami Herald she had been unable to contact her husband and only learned of his death after seeing news coverage. The group said Coronilla is survived by a seven-year-old son and a seven-month-old daughter.

Death Among Recent ICE-Linked Incidents

Coronilla's death was one of four incidents linked to ICE operations within less than a week. Two people, one in Texas and another in Maine, were shot and killed by ICE officers. A fourth person died while in ICE custody during a transfer to an immigration detention centre in Georgia.

The series of deaths has prompted renewed criticism from members of the public and some lawmakers, who have called for increased oversight of ICE and its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as they implement President Donald Trump's expanded immigration enforcement and mass deportation agenda.

Identity Confirmed

The Department of Homeland Security has not publicly identified Coronilla. However, the Associated Press confirmed his identity through a Mexican government official.

Although the Florida Highway Patrol initially described the incident as part of an ICE operation, a Homeland Security source familiar with the case told The Guardian that US Border Patrol agents were involved in the encounter.

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23 July 2026

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Why anyone would want to even visit there is beyond me. I think there’s more trying to get out than there is trying to get in. Armpit of the world now.

3 minutes ago, JoeRan said:

Why anyone would want to even visit there is beyond me. I think there’s more trying to get out than there is trying to get in. Armpit of the world now.

Sad. Florida has a lot of great qualities and a spanish population spread throughout the State.

With all this happening in a two week span there definitely needs to be a review, some adjustments or additional training.

Why run if you're doing nothing wrong?

Just show your passport and be on your way. Happened to me plenty of times in Thailand when cops stopped me between Asoke and 33 to ask for a passport copy. 10 minutes later I was in the pub sipping a cold one. Mildly irritated, but no biggie.

If I'd run into the road and been hit by a bus, would it have been the cop's fault? No.

One thought is that one or more of the other folks in the car were up to no good, possibly in the country illegally.

My impression is that he was involved in something criminal and in fleeing, he ran in front of a truck.

As far as the other deaths, every single one of them involved a law enforcement officer being attacked with a deadly weapon.

44 minutes ago, JoeRan said:

Why anyone would want to even visit there is beyond me. I think there’s more trying to get out than there is trying to get in. Armpit of the world now.

The only ones getting out are Liberals and illegals.

Both groups leaving make the US a better place.

38 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Why run if you're doing nothing wrong?

Just show your passport and be on your way. Happened to me plenty of times in Thailand when cops stopped me between Asoke and 33 to ask for a passport copy. 10 minutes later I was in the pub sipping a cold one. Mildly irritated, but no biggie.

Thailandlanguage courses

If I'd run into the road and been hit by a bus, would it have been the cop's fault? No.

Never encountered ICE?

Coronilla was visiting the country on a tourist visa.

re: theme of fear based mass hysteria resulting from a scripted propaganda machine brainwashing people and a confidence man taking advantage of that playing field and using hypnosis techniques to get people to VOLUNTARILY act out an entertaining, sometimes dramatic stories with each person acting appropriately to their role as learned from books, movies, TV shows and staged shows on Fox News. ✅

Edited July 23Jul 23 by SiSePuede419
Clarification

A rather pathetic attempt by the media to hold law enforcement responsible for Coronilla's death.

59 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Why run if you're doing nothing wrong?

Just show your passport and be on your way. Happened to me plenty of times in Thailand when cops stopped me between Asoke and 33 to ask for a passport copy. 10 minutes later I was in the pub sipping a cold one. Mildly irritated, but no biggie.

If I'd run into the road and been hit by a bus, would it have been the cop's fault? No.

The Thai police don’t have a track record of killing people being arrested or incarcerated.

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

Why run if you're doing nothing wrong?

Just show your passport and be on your way. Happened to me plenty of times in Thailand when cops stopped me between Asoke and 33 to ask for a passport copy. 10 minutes later I was in the pub sipping a cold one. Mildly irritated, but no biggie.

If I'd run into the road and been hit by a bus, would it have been the cop's fault? No.

Why run away? Because ICE is known for shooting first and asking questions later. Only an idiot could ask such a question

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

Why run if you're doing nothing wrong?

Just show your passport and be on your way. Happened to me plenty of times in Thailand when cops stopped me between Asoke and 33 to ask for a passport copy. 10 minutes later I was in the pub sipping a cold one. Mildly irritated, but no biggie.

If I'd run into the road and been hit by a bus, would it have been the cop's fault? No.

You are a white man? Ever been to USA under Trump? And being of anything other than Caucasian you are immediately suspect. You are clueless as to reality.... USA is not Thailand so your example is less than worthless.

At least 52 people have died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody during the first 500 days of President Donald Trump's second term. Trump's goons have illegally kidnapped US citizens and shipped them away. To think having a visa and passport is enough to be let go is nuts. Those goons have quotas and don't care how they fill them

21 minutes ago, Front Row said:

The Thai police don’t have a track record of killing people being arrested or incarcerated.

Never heard of Joe Ferrari then?

Or Thaksin's war on drugs?

46 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Never encountered ICE?

No. But if I did I'd make sure I calmly showed them my legal paperwork rather than running into the road into the path of an oncoming truck.

You can do the latter if you prefer though...

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

Why run if you're doing nothing wrong?

Just show your passport and be on your way. Happened to me plenty of times in Thailand when cops stopped me between Asoke and 33 to ask for a passport copy. 10 minutes later I was in the pub sipping a cold one. Mildly irritated, but no biggie.

If I'd run into the road and been hit by a bus, would it have been the cop's fault? No.

Pretty simple procedure, when instructed to stop and obey the Law Enforcements commands, do so. Running away or attempting to evade officers only shifts the encounter into another level of enforcement.

Just as in Thailand, or most other civilized countries.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Although the Florida Highway Patrol initially described the incident as part of an ICE operation,

Trump is turning America into a murderous country. A danger for citizens, and a danger for the world.

Nobody there to lock him up?

This unfortunate incident, whether through direct ICE action of not, may have an impact on US reputation and tourism. When you read about brown skinned tourists dying it has to have a negative impact. I've never heard of Thai police chasing down ordinary tourists and certainly never heard of it happening in Europe.

4 minutes ago, Purdey said:

This unfortunate incident, whether through direct ICE action of not, may have an impact on US reputation and tourism. When you read about brown skinned tourists dying it has to have a negative impact. I've never heard of Thai police chasing down ordinary tourists and certainly never heard of it happening in Europe.

Thai Police Office Shoots Canadian Tourist - International Lawyers - Bukh Global Partners

6 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Trump is turning America into a murderous country. A danger for citizens, and a danger for the world.

Nobody there to lock him up?

Lock up the President because a tourist runs away from enforcement officers when asked to show his passport?

Would you apply this rule to all countries?

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

Thai Police Office Shoots Canadian Tourist - International Lawyers - Bukh Global Partners

Plus Malik Djamel in Bangkok (2018) and one of the worst, Adam Lloyd and Vanessa Arscott in Kanchanaburi (2004).

Edited July 23Jul 23 by brewsterbudgen

1 hour ago, J Branche said:

Sad. Florida has a lot of great qualities and a spanish population spread throughout the State.

With all this happening in a two week span there definitely needs to be a review, some adjustments or additional training.

Training should be for the tourist entering the country. Don't flee police when asked for your ID. He would be still alive today if he had basic common sense.

9 minutes ago, Purdey said:

This unfortunate incident, whether through direct ICE action of not, may have an impact on US reputation and tourism. When you read about brown skinned tourists dying it has to have a negative impact. I've never heard of Thai police chasing down ordinary tourists and certainly never heard of it happening in Europe.

Only when left wing media spins it as ICE's fault and they are too lazy to read the whole article.

Misleading headline? He was hit by a truck running across the road. Why did he run? Only he knew that.

11 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Trump is turning America into a murderous country. A danger for citizens, and a danger for the world.

Nobody there to lock him up?

Please stop watching the Lamestream media who has lied to you for years and you still believe them. Trump and the current administration are enforcing the laws and expelling the 10M illegals left in by the previous administration. Many convicted of heinous crimes in America. But you don't care about the American citizens who have lost their lives due to this incompetency. Also, please seek immediate help for your stage 4 <removed>. There is a cure, ask Bill Maher

40 minutes ago, Emdog said:

You are a white man? Ever been to USA under Trump? And being of anything other than Caucasian you are immediately suspect. You are clueless as to reality.... USA is not Thailand so your example is less than worthless.

At least 52 people have died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody during the first 500 days of President Donald Trump's second term. Trump's goons have illegally kidnapped US citizens and shipped them away. To think having a visa and passport is enough to be let go is nuts. Those goons have quotas and don't care how they fill them

More BS propaganda from the left. Might want to learn the difference from detained and kidnapped. Please seek immediate medical assistance for your stage 4 <removed>. Ask Bill Maher, there is a cure.

36 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Never heard of Joe Ferrari then?

Or Thaksin's war on drugs?

20 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Plus Malik Djamel in Bangkok (2018) and one of the worst, Adam Lloyd and Vanessa Arscott in Kanchanaburi (2004).

OK. That’s three in eight years. I.C.E. does that in three weeks (or less). The situation in the USA is now at a whole other level. And when you compare the two countries, historically which one would normal people say is a country based on the rule of law.

38 minutes ago, jtrump said:

Please stop watching the Lamestream media who has lied to you for years and you still believe them. Trump and the current administration are enforcing the laws and expelling the 10M illegals left in by the previous administration. Many convicted of heinous crimes in America. But you don't care about the American citizens who have lost their lives due to this incompetency. Also, please seek immediate help for your stage 4 <removed>. There is a cure, ask Bill Maher

I like your sarcasm, though it's not for everybody. 🤡

48 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Lock up the President because a tourist runs away from enforcement officers when asked to show his passport?

Would you apply this rule to all countries?

You think ICE got genuine "officers"? It's more like a "light" GESTAPO.

Is man hunting a proper job for you?

Good Bye American.

20 minutes ago, Front Row said:

OK. That’s three in eight years. I.C.E. does that in three weeks (or less). The situation in the USA is now at a whole other level. And when you compare the two countries, historically which one would normal people say is a country based on the rule of law.

Are you suggesting that Thailand is based on the rule of law more than the US? 😄

53 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Are you suggesting that Thailand is based on the rule of law more than the US? 😄

You either can’t read or you’re not normal. You choose. 😆