Officials from ICE have stated that the tragic killing of 15-year-old Amber Parris could have been avoided. They criticized Charlotte’s sanctuary policy for releasing Julio Cesar Socop Vicente, described as a repeat offender and undocumented immigrant, on bail after he allegedly sped through a neighborhood, ran a stop sign, struck a boy, and fled the scene. Charlotte authorities moved quickly to get the suspect released before ICE could serve an immigration arrest warrant. On January 12, ICE Fugitive Operations apprehended a Guatemalan national.
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the suspect, believed to be responsible for the death of the North Carolina teenager, was arrested under immigration charges after being released by Charlotte authorities. He will remain in ICE custody as the release process unfolds, officials added.
In a statement, ICE Director Todd Lyons expressed sympathy for Amber’s family, acknowledging that while nothing can ease their loss, ICE remains committed to apprehending dangerous criminal immigrants nationwide. He emphasized the serious consequences of sanctuary policies, saying this heartbreaking incident could have been prevented. Lyons further stated that ICE actively works to safeguard communities by arresting individuals who pose threats to public safety.
On November 25, local police reported that Socop Vicente, while driving at high speeds, ran a stop sign and hit Amber Parris. He fled the scene on foot but was found the following day. The charges against him included driving without a license, reckless driving, and felony hit-and-run, according to ICE officials. They pointed out that Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and other local politicians have indirectly supported policies that permit such individuals to be released on bail before ICE could take action.
As Amber fought for her life, local authorities dropped the charge of driving without a license on December 2.
ICE officials mentioned that this wasn’t the first time Socop Vicente was allowed to evade deportation after being arrested. He had previous convictions for drunk driving and assaulting a woman.
Without local police assistance, the ICE Fugitive Operations Team managed to locate him and take him into custody on January 12 during a targeted operation.
Officials reiterated:
This marks the second occasion where Mayor Lyles permitted this criminal undocumented immigrant to be free after arrest. He has convictions for drunk driving and previously assaulted a woman.
Socop Vicente is among those arrested under ICE’s Operation Charlotte Web, initiated on November 15, 2025, to capture serious criminal immigrants released due to the city’s sanctuary policies. Since its launch, ICE and Department of Homeland Security teams have apprehended over 1,300 individuals.
This operation has led to arrests including:
- Armando Hernandez Martinez, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, convicted of murder and child abuse.
- Diego Murillo-Perez, also from Mexico, with multiple convictions for lewd acts involving minors.
- Jose Guadalupe López Rodriguez, an undocumented individual from Mexico, convicted of attempting a first-degree sex crime against a child.
- Ruben Barra-Martinez, who, after being deported, was convicted of burglary, motor vehicle theft, and robbery.
- Kadris Sivananthan, an illegal immigrant from Sri Lanka with a history of drug possession and theft, linked to gang activities.
Federal authorities indicated that Socop Vicente’s case highlights a concerning trend in Charlotte, where sanctuary policies repeatedly shield violent offenders from deportation. As Operation Charlotte progresses, ICE intends to continue removing criminal aliens deemed unsuitable for release into North Carolina communities.
