ICE Arrests Guatemalan Alien for Child Rape after Release in Virginia
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently apprehended an undocumented immigrant accused of child rape in Fairfax County, Virginia, shortly after he had been released.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Walvin Victor Hugo Garcia, originally from Guatemala, was arrested on a Friday after his court appearance in Fairfax County.
Garcia had been previously arrested in June 2025 on serious felony charges, including the rape of a child younger than 13, aggravated sexual battery, and other crimes involving minors.
The DHS noted that, despite placing a detainer after his first arrest, ICE was hindered as local officials “refused to cooperate” and allowed Garcia to leave without notifying ICE.
“Governor Spanberger and her fellow officials in Fairfax refused to cooperate with ICE and released this child rapist,” said Lauren Bis, Acting Assistant Secretary at DHS.
She characterized Garcia as a significant threat, emphasizing that local policies are endangering communities by letting criminals return to the streets.
When Governor Abigail Spanberger took office in January 2026, she reportedly signed orders restricting cooperation with ICE, further prompting concerns from the DHS about rising crime attributed to undocumented immigrants in the area.
Garcia appeared in court voluntarily for his scheduled hearing, where he was apprehended without assistance from local law enforcement, as reported by various sources.
In response, Spanberger emphasized her commitment to prosecuting violent criminals, regardless of their immigration status, and a spokesperson for the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney highlighted that they were actively prosecuting Garcia for the allegations against him when ICE arrested him.
“By refusing to work with ICE and releasing criminals, local politicians are jeopardizing American lives,” the DHS stated in a social media post.
Garcia made his way into the U.S. illegally in October 2023 and had been subsequently released by the Biden administration. An Immigration Judge in Virginia had ordered his removal in February 2025.
