exclusive: Immigration has emerged as a critical topic in Virginia as voters weigh which candidate can best safeguard their families, especially following the Department of Homeland Security’s announcement of several high-profile criminal arrests in the state.
Republican candidate Lt. Gov. Winsome Earl Sears has asserted his commitment to protecting Virginians, while Democratic former Rep. Abigail Spanberger referenced her background as a federal employee when discussing matters of law and order.
Among the most notable arrests, DHS revealed the capture of El Salvador’s most wanted MS-13 leader, who is also a major fugitive in El Salvador.
Ismael Enrique Mendoza Flores, known as “El Caraco” (The Skeleton), faces serious charges in El Salvador, including aggravated murder and unlawful association. He was previously charged in the U.S. for unauthorized use of a vehicle.
The Democratic Party has criticized him harshly on five separate occasions.
DHS arrested Flores in Alexandria based on an active warrant from San Salvador. Prior, he had been arrested in Virginia for using a vehicle without authorization.
Flores allegedly claimed to have entered the U.S. during the Obama era, but DHS made it clear that they wouldn’t let a potential Democratic government shutdown disrupt law enforcement efforts at the border.
“This MS-13 gang member was wanted for murder,” said Assistant Attorney General Tricia McLaughlin. “These are the types of dangerous illegal immigrants that politicians in Virginia protect while vilifying law enforcement.”
“President Trump and Secretary Noem will not condone these acts of violence by gang members against Americans.”
Virginia Gov. Yonkin cautions against identifying the Democratic candidate as centrist, insisting that he plans to end collaboration with ICE.
McLaughlin discussed the recent arrests, emphasizing that lax policies have allowed violent foreign criminals to terrorize innocent Americans.
DHS also detained two juveniles who caught the attention of Hanover County police after speeding on Interstate 295. They allegedly fired a gun while speeding toward Henrico County. A Hanover police officer, having stopped a separate vehicle, noticed the speeding BMW and gave chase. The youths ultimately crashed their car near the Richmond city limits.
Winsome Earl Sears critiques Spanberger’s proposal to dissolve the Virginia Glacier Accord, stating, ‘This isn’t complicated.’
The young men, now in juvenile detention in Williamsburg, face numerous charges after the DHS intervened. McLaughlin shared that they had been released by the Biden administration as “unvetted” immigrants.
“ICE has taken these individuals into custody to ensure they pose no further risk to Virginia’s roads,” she stated.
In an operation by Homeland Security, a convicted pedophile from Guatemala was also apprehended.
Rick Martinez Lopez has a troubling record that includes child sexual assault, failure to register as a sex offender, and a probation violation.
Biden administration-era “unrecognized” immigrants were arrested following a highway shooting, highlighting the ongoing border dispute impacting the gubernatorial election.
The Richmond city jail had informed DHS in August that it would release Martinez-Lopez instead of holding him. DHS later became aware of his situation, with McLaughlin accusing the previous city administration of allowing sex offenders to “wander freely.”
“It’s shocking that sanctuary policies and political activists seem to prioritize the protection of these individuals over the safety of our children,” she remarked. “All of Virginia’s sanctuary advocates are endangering American citizens with their reckless policies.”
Another dangerous illegal immigrant, Ricardo Leonel Mejia from El Salvador, was convicted for repeatedly raping an 11-year-old girl in Virginia.
An alarming clip has surfaced, showing the Democratic gubernatorial candidate defensive in response to the ICE and Kirk shootings.
Mejia received a 30-year prison sentence before DHS sought custody. McLaughlin noted that Mejia had been classified as a “non-enforcement priority” under the Biden administration, which allowed him to stay on the streets.
While working on a Virginia Beach home renovation, Mejia abused the girl multiple times. He expressed remorse in court, saying he was going through a tough time and apologized for the pain he caused.
Fox News Digital has reached out to both parties for additional comments regarding the arrests and their implications ahead of November’s election.
