Federal immigration officials cited a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policy directive in explaining their response to an undocumented immigrant accused of killing a teenager.
Antonio Antonio Rodas is an illegal immigrant from Guatemala. arrested And last week in Alabama, a man was charged with murder in connection with a fatal motor vehicle crash involving a 19-year-old.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed to DCNF that it was aware of Antonio Rodas’ criminal history and legal status since his arrest for drunk driving in 2021, but due to the coronavirus Citing the infectious disease (COVID-19) pandemic and directives issued by (DHS). ) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas cited a change in enforcement priorities as the reason for not taking him into custody at the time. (Related article: Three-time deported illegal immigrant charged with smuggling people, drugs and .50 caliber bullets across border)
Semmes Police Station arrested Earlier this month, Antonio Rodas apologized for the April 28 death of 19-year-old Adam Rooker in a car crash outside Mobile, Alabama.
On the day of the fatal accident, police received a report about a reckless driver on the road. according to Crash report. Responding officers noticed a “strong odor of alcoholic beverages coming from the driver” and found “open and unopened alcohol containers inside the vehicle.”
According to reports, Antonio-Rodas was driving 138 miles per hour at the time of the crash, and a blood alcohol test showed his alcohol level was three times the legal limit. Field report.
ICE confirmed to the Daily Caller News Foundation that Antonio Rodas entered the country illegally.
“At an unknown date and location, Antonio entered the United States without inspection, entry, or parole by an immigration judge,” an ICE spokesperson said. “On December 27, 2018, United States Border Protection (USBP) arrested Antonio near Hidalgo, Texas and served him a Notice of Appearance.”
“On January 4, 2019, ERO San Antonio released him on a recognizance order,” the statement continued.
Mayorkas.shutter stock
However, nearly three years after being released from ERO (ICE’s Enforcement Removal Operation), he had come to the attention of authorities for a DUI arrest. ERO New Orleans encountered Antonio Rodas at the Mobile County Metro Jail, who was arrested for DUI in November 2021, for which he was sentenced in September 2022.
At the time of the encounter, ERO officials were prioritizing enforcement action in accordance with the law, authorities said. Civil Immigration Control Law Enforcement Guidelines Published by Mayorkas on September 30, 2021.
Citing the millions of undocumented immigrants currently residing in the United States, the policy directive exercises “prosecutorial discretion” in determining who is subject to arrest, detention, and deportation proceedings. Government agencies were encouraged to do so. The memo also asserted that the majority of undocumented immigrants who could be targeted for deportation “have contributed to our communities over the years.”
The agency also said the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly reduced the number of illegal immigrants ICE officers can apprehend and deport, and the immigration crisis has forced the agency to direct resources to the southern border. He also pointed out that.
ICE confirmed to DCNF that it submitted a detention request to the Mobile County Metro Police Department on May 9, the day after Antonio Rodas was arrested on-site on suspicion of murder.
But the murder victim’s family is unhappy that the man was not deported sooner.
Will Phillips, an attorney representing the family, said, “If that were the case, this would not have happened.” Fox10 News. “The federal government has access to all the information about arrests and things like that.”
The incident comes as Mr. Mayorkas continues to face harsh criticism from Republicans for not doing enough to address the immigration crisis that has seen record numbers of illegal immigrants crossing the southern border.
The Republican-controlled House voted to impeach the DHS secretary in February. However, the Democratic-controlled Senate rejected these impeachment charges in April.
Rooker died from his injuries about a week after the accident.a gofundme It was set up to support families.
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DCNF.
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