U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced the arrest of a Guatemalan illegal immigrant in Maryland who is facing deadly weapons charges.
ICE reported that Gener Pop-Cuz, a 20-year-old individual, was taken into custody on February 1 in Prince George’s County, Maryland, after the local corrections officials refused to comply with an immigration detainer.
According to ICE, there was an incident where the corrections department released Pop into the lobby instead of transferring him to the awaiting ICE deportation officer. Pop resisted arrest initially but was eventually subdued and handcuffed without the intervention of corrections officers.
This individual came to the attention of the U.S. Border Patrol in November 2017 near the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. Subsequently, he was issued a notice to appear in court by immigration authorities.
Miguel Andres-Mateo, another Guatemalan illegal immigrant, was arrested by ICE in Cornelia, Ga., on Jan. 21. The agency said he had been convicted of driving under the influence.
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Baltimore acting Field Office Director Matthew Elliston said the incident shows that “Nobody wins when jurisdictions fail to transfer custody of violent offenders.”
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has arrested two illegal migrants who the agency says were running a drugs and narcotics operation in Maryland and Georgia. (HSI Baltimore)
“Cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE is critical to ensuring the safety of our officers, the public, and even the criminal aliens in custody,” he added. “I strongly encourage our local jurisdictions to evaluate their policies and look forward to the day when we can put aside politics and do what’s best for the people of Maryland.”
