Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested a Venezuelan illegal immigrant, Yohandri Roger Mosquera-Rosas, charged with a slew of crimes in Virginia, including malicious wounding, DUI, hit-and-run, and multiple gun offenses. The arrest comes amidst growing concern over the release of dangerous criminals back into communities despite ICE detainers.
Mosquera was initially released into the U.S. by border officials in October 2022 and granted parole. However, he violated the terms of his admission and was subsequently arrested by Fairfax County police in January 2023 for additional charges, including reckless handling of a firearm and endangering a child. Despite ICE issuing a detainer, a request for notification upon release from state or local custody, Mosquera was released again. This pattern of ignoring detainers repeated several times, with Mosquera being arrested and released for various offenses.
ICE officials expressed their frustration with sanctuary jurisdictions, like Fairfax County, for refusing to cooperate with federal law enforcement in deporting illegal immigrant criminals. They argue that these policies ultimately put communities at risk by shielding dangerous individuals.
This case highlights the ongoing debate over sanctuary cities and their impact on public safety. While some argue that these policies build trust with immigrant communities and encourage cooperation with local law enforcement, critics maintain that they endanger residents by preventing the removal of criminals.
The arrest of Mosquera coincides with ICE’s release of data revealing that over 425,000 convicted criminals and 222,000 individuals with pending criminal charges are currently on the agency’s non-detained docket. This alarming figure underscores the growing concern over the presence of undocumented individuals with criminal records within the U.S.
ICE emphasizes its commitment to removing illegal immigrants, reporting that they have removed or returned over 893,600 individuals from mid-May 2023 to July 2024. However, the agency faces challenges in effectively addressing the influx of undocumented individuals, particularly those with criminal backgrounds, due to the lack of cooperation from sanctuary jurisdictions.
