WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced another example of how local authorities are shielding dangerous criminals with an active ICE detainer, this time in Wake County.

Among the current illegal immigrants being detained by Wake County who may be released back into the community after ICE’s detainer request is ignored or declined include:

• An individual charged with first degree rape of a child.
• An individual charged with indecent liberties with a child and with attempted 2nd degree forcible rape.
• An individual charged with stalking and statutory rape of a child.

“This reoccurring behavior from local jurisdictions should concern every North Carolinian,” said Senator Tillis. “We cannot and will not stand by and let these criminals walk our streets and put our communities in danger. Let me be clear, these are not individuals being held just for crossing the border. These individuals are being held for horrific crimes that we do not want to see repeated. That’s why I introduced legislation this week to clarify DHS’s detainer authority so sheriffs can no longer make up excuses when they refuse to honor detainer requests from ICE.”

“The only way a person is subject to an ICE detainer in Wake County is if they are handcuffed and arrested for a crime committed in the local community,” said acting ICE Director Matt Albence. “These misguided policies protect criminals, not the immigrant communities they were created to protect.”

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