El Paso Standard

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently apprehended a Colombian citizen in the United States illegally after Northampton County Prison released him, disregarding an ICE immigration detainer request. The arrest took place on February 21 following the prison's decision not to hold the individual within its secure facilities.

Brian McShane, acting Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Philadelphia, expressed concerns about the implications of not honoring immigration detainers. "Failing to honor immigration detainers jeopardizes public safety and wastes taxpayer funding by forcing ICE to divert significant resources to locate and arrest criminal aliens in unpredictable, high-risk public settings," he stated. He commended local law enforcement but criticized an executive order that prevents cooperation with federal authorities, stating it "endangers the public, our officers, and the criminal alien themselves."

The individual was first encountered by U.S. Border Patrol after entering the country illegally near Rio Grande, Texas, in May 2022. Following his arrest for simple assault and harassment by Easton Police Department on February 16, ICE lodged a detainer with Northampton County Prison on February 18. Despite this detainer and pending charges, he was released on bail on February 21.

In another incident involving similar circumstances, ICE had to rearrest Luis Gualdron-Gualdron—a suspected member of Tren de Aragua gang—after his release from Northampton County Prison despite an existing immigration detainer.

McShane further criticized Northampton County's stance requiring judicial warrants for ICE actions as contrary to federal laws enacted by Congress. "This is an unnecessary recipe for disaster," he remarked. He argued that such requirements place political considerations over public safety.

Members of the public are encouraged to report any related crimes or suspicious activities via the ICE Tip Line or through their online form.

Further information about ICE Philadelphia’s mission can be found on their social media platform X under @EROPhiladelphia.