The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is urging local law enforcement in Kentucky not to release an undocumented immigrant charged with sexual assault, as reported by The Daily Caller News Foundation.
On February 5, a 34-year-old Lyft driver named Yordan Basilio Diaz Vera was taken into custody in Louisville, facing charges of first-degree sodomy and kidnapping the mother of his four children. After his arrest, ICE took him into custody and is advocating for his continued detention.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials confirmed that Díaz-Vera entered the U.S. illegally from Cuba in November 2022 during the previous administration. Assistant Secretary Lauren Biss commented, “Jordan Basilio Diaz-Vera was allowed into our communities under the Biden administration before he committed this heinous act. This crime could have been prevented.”
Biss added that law enforcement should notify ICE instead of releasing individuals like Diaz-Vera back into the community. “President Trump and Secretary Noem will ensure that foreign nationals with a history of sexual offenses are not permitted to live freely in the U.S.,” she said.
Díaz-Vera’s attorney has stated to local media that, despite acknowledging his illegal status, he possesses a work permit and is awaiting legal status.
According to reports, the day before his arrest, Díaz-Vera gave the victim a ride to a doctor’s appointment. He allegedly stopped in a church parking lot, retrieved a gun from his glove compartment, and assaulted her before dropping her off at the appointment.
After the incident, the victim contacted the police, leading to Díaz-Vera’s arrest and subsequent charges, which also included intimidation. Lyft has since permanently removed him from their platform, with a spokesperson decrying his “reprehensible” actions.
While Lyft did not disclose whether it was aware of Díaz-Vera’s immigration status, their guidelines require all drivers to meet specific criteria, including passing a criminal background check that involves a valid Social Security number. Those found on the National Sex Offenders Register or convicted of certain disqualifying offenses are prohibited from driving.
Díaz-Vera has pleaded not guilty, and his bail is set at $100,000. He is currently in custody at the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections.
During Trump’s second term, DHS named over 500 cities, including Louisville, as “sanctuary” cities. Mayor Craig Greenberg recently announced plans to restore a 48-hour detention policy for individuals arrested for crimes and facing deportation notices by June 2025, reversing a previous policy change.
Despite the efforts to deport Díaz-Vera, the victim’s attorney has expressed concerns that deportation may hinder the justice process in state court.
Requests for comments from the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections went unanswered.
