Federal officials are raising concerns about immigration enforcement policies in Fairfax County, Virginia, after the Department of Homeland Security said three of four individuals facing murder charges in the county this year are in the United States illegally.
In a series of statements, DHS called on Virginia leaders, including Gov. Abigail Spanberger, to reconsider policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The agency pointed to several recent cases as part of a broader argument for increased coordination with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Among those cases, authorities arrested Misael Lopez Gomez, identified by DHS as a Guatemalan national, and charged him with second-degree murder and felony child abuse in the death of his 3-month-old daughter. ICE issued a detainer following his arrest, urging local officials to transfer custody to federal authorities.
In a separate case, Anibal Armando Chavarria Muy, also identified as a Guatemalan national, was arrested in connection with a fatal stabbing in March. ICE similarly issued a detainer request, which DHS said is part of standard protocol when individuals in the country unlawfully are charged with serious crimes.
Another high-profile case involved Abdul Jalloh, a Sierra Leone national who DHS said entered the country illegally in 2012. He was charged in the fatal stabbing of a 41-year-old woman at a Fairfax County bus stop in February. DHS stated that Jalloh had an extensive prior arrest record.
“Another violent criminal illegal alien, another preventable murder of an American citizen,” DHS said in a statement regarding the case. (RELATED: Republicans Mobilize Grassroots Push as Virginia Redistricting Vote Nears)
Federal officials argue that local policies limiting cooperation with ICE—often referred to as sanctuary policies—can complicate enforcement efforts. DHS stated that Fairfax County has previously declined to honor certain immigration detainer requests, which ask local jails to hold individuals for transfer to federal custody.
“This heinous criminal is a perfect example of why we need cooperation from sanctuary jurisdictions and the importance of third-country removals for the safety of the American people,” a DHS official said.
Local officials have not publicly responded to the latest DHS statements. Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid and Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano have both faced questions in the past regarding how their offices handle cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
The issue is expected to be examined further at a congressional hearing focused on immigration enforcement and public safety. Lawmakers have invited local officials to testify on how policies governing cooperation with federal agencies may impact crime and community safety.
The debate reflects a broader national discussion over immigration enforcement, public safety, and the role of local jurisdictions in working with federal authorities. (RELATED: Virginia Governor Hits Historic Approval Lows As Redistricting Flip-Flop Fuels Voter Backlash)