Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a criminal illegal alien from Cuba in Virginia last week who was allegedly carrying fentanyl, cocaine, narcotics, and oxycodone — another case fueling criticism of sanctuary-style policies backed by Democrat leaders in the state.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE agents arrested Eduardo Perez-Legra on May 4 in Newport News, Virginia. Authorities say Perez-Legra had already been convicted of drug trafficking four separate times, along with two felony cocaine possession convictions.
When agents searched Perez-Legra following his arrest, DHS said they seized 19.5 grams of cocaine, 101 oxycodone pills, five fentanyl pills, and 27 individually packaged suboxone sublingual films. Not exactly the “dreamer” image sanctuary politicians like to advertise during press conferences.
Perez-Legra reportedly obtained a green card in 2004 and became eligible for removal after felony convictions in 2011. However, despite receiving a final order of removal from an immigration judge in 2012, the Obama administration allegedly released him instead of deporting him, according to DHS.
“Virginia is a hotbed for criminal illegal alien crime,” Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement. “Criminals flock to sanctuary Virginia because they know Governor Spanberger and her fellow sanctuary politicians will protect them.”
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has come under increasing criticism from immigration enforcement advocates after signing executive orders limiting cooperation with ICE. According to DHS, Spanberger banned state cooperation with ICE earlier this year and ordered agencies to terminate Section 287(g) agreements, which allow local and state officers to assist federal immigration enforcement under ICE supervision.
Supporters of tougher immigration enforcement argue the policies make it significantly harder for federal authorities to detain and deport dangerous offenders before additional crimes occur.
DHS also highlighted several recent cases involving illegal aliens accused or convicted of violent crimes across Virginia.
One case involved Walvin Victor Hugo Garcia from Guatemala, who faces charges involving multiple crimes against minors, including the alleged rape of a girl younger than 13 years old. ICE reportedly lodged a detainer request with Fairfax County authorities asking not to release Garcia, but he appeared in court without ICE being notified and was allowed to leave. Federal agents ultimately arrested him outside the courthouse.
Another case involved Israel Christopher Flores-Ortiz, an 18-year-old illegal alien from El Salvador who was sentenced to roughly four months in jail after being convicted on nine misdemeanor counts related to allegedly groping female students.
Authorities also cited Misael Lopez Gomez, an illegal alien from Guatemala accused of beating his three-month-old child to death in Fairfax County. He now faces murder and child abuse charges after being arrested by ICE in March.
Additionally, DHS referenced the arrest of Luzvin Orvando Garcia Moran from Guatemala, who allegedly attempted to rape a woman in Arlington County while she was waiting for a ride. According to reports, Moran had accumulated more than two dozen prior charges over less than a decade.
The growing list of cases is intensifying the national debate over sanctuary policies and immigration enforcement as the Trump administration continues pushing for stricter border security and faster deportation of criminal illegal aliens.
For many Americans, stories like these reinforce concerns that political leaders prioritizing ideological immigration policies over cooperation with law enforcement are putting public safety at risk. And with fentanyl continuing to devastate communities nationwide, critics argue the stakes have never been higher.