The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sharply criticized a federal judge in Louisiana on Wednesday for ordering the release of four illegal immigrants from an ICE detention facility — including individuals convicted of attempted murder and child sex crimes.

The four men were held at ICE’s detention center at Angola Prison, known as the “Louisiana Lockup,” and were released following an order from U.S. District Judge John deGravelles, according to DHS.

“Judge John deGravelles, appointed by Barack Obama, released FOUR violent criminals back onto American communities, and unfortunately, the ramifications will only be the continued rape, murder, assault, and robbery of more American victims,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.

According to DHS, the released migrants include:

• Ibrahim Ali Mohammed, an Ethiopian national who received a final order of removal in September 2024 and has a prior conviction for sexual exploitation of a minor.

Local reporting by Verite News, a nonprofit outlet based in New Orleans, stated that one of the men, Rodriguez-Romero, had been convicted of involuntary manslaughter, while the most serious convictions involving Gaston-Sanchez and Chomat were attempted murder charges.

An immigrant rights organization representing the four men did not respond to requests for comment.

In his ruling, Judge deGravelles argued that the Trump administration detained the migrants “unlawfully,” writing that detention lasting longer than six months is “constitutionally suspect” and that “their deportation is not reasonably foreseeable.”

DHS pushed back forcefully, saying the ruling is part of a broader pattern of judicial obstruction.

“Despite the historic number of rulings from activist judges, DHS is working rapidly and overtime to remove these aliens from detention centers to their final destination — home,” the agency said.

McLaughlin called the release of the migrants “inexcusably reckless.”

“President Trump and Secretary Noem are now enforcing the law and arresting illegal aliens who have no right to be in our country,” she said. “We are applying the law as written. If an immigration judge finds an illegal alien has no right to be in this country, we are going to remove them. Period.”

The decision has renewed debate over judicial authority in immigration enforcement and the balance between due process and public safety, as the administration continues its push to deport criminal illegal aliens amid rising tensions with federal courts over detention policy.