Patricia Fox, a mother from Colorado, recounted the life-altering injuries her daughter sustained in a 2025 crash involving an undocumented immigrant, during testimony before the House Judiciary Committee's Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee. Fox stated that sanctuary policies, which protect undocumented immigrants from federal deportation, ultimately inflicted a high cost on her family.
Her daughter, Carissa Aspnes, then 22 years old, was celebrating her birthday on March 28, 2025, in Aurora, Colorado. While riding on the back of a motorcycle, Aspnes was struck by a vehicle that ran a stop sign, driven by Valeria De Los Angeles Bermudez Marcano, an immigrant from Venezuela. The driver and passengers of the vehicle fled the scene, leaving Aspnes unconscious. Aspnes survived the collision but suffered severe brain injuries.
Fox described her daughter's current condition, stating that Aspnes is minimally conscious, nonverbal, and wheelchair-bound, requiring a feeding tube. Aspnes's physician indicated the need for constant care, and Colorado Medicaid denied requests for in-home nursing care, forcing Fox to manage her daughter's daily needs. The family faces significant medical bills, estimated at $3,000 to $4,000 per month for ongoing therapy, equipment, and care not covered by insurance, which have already reached seven figures.
Prosecutors dropped most charges against Bermudez Marcano, who was eventually deported. The driver was ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution, intended only for the damaged motorcycle. Fox testified that her daughter's extensive injuries and the family's shattered future received no compensation.
Fox drew a contrast between her family's struggles and Colorado's state spending. She noted that Colorado projected approximately $127 million from its General Fund for a program called Cover All Coloradans, which provides healthcare to individuals regardless of immigration status. Fox argued that this state spending prioritizes healthcare for undocumented immigrants over the needs of citizens like her daughter, who is fighting for basic care.
Several other families shared similar experiences. Mary Ann Mendoza's son was killed in 2014 by an intoxicated, undocumented immigrant driving the wrong way on an Arizona highway. Joe Abraham's daughter was killed by a previously deported undocumented immigrant. These instances, according to Gianno Caldwell, a political analyst and founder of the Caldwell Institute for Public Safety, highlight a public safety failure. Caldwell asserted that approximately 19 states and Washington D.C. allow individuals to obtain driver's licenses regardless of immigration status, which he believes poses a risk to public safety. He advocated for prioritizing the safety of American citizens above political considerations.