ICE captures illegal alien released from Philadelphia custody despite detainer for criminal offenses in rape, unlawful contact with a minor
PHILADELPHIA — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested unlawfully present Mexican national, Jesus Romero-Bisos, after he was released from police custody despite a detainer lodged against him for multiple criminal charges, including rape.
By releasing a criminal alien with multiple offenses, the Philadelphia Police Department is putting their city at risk by letting this individual roam free to potentially harm others. Fortunately, ICE was able to locate and apprehend this individual before there was an opportunity to hurt someone else.
“ICE is willing to work with local law enforcement at all times,” said ICE Philadelphia Field Office Director Simona Flores-Lund. “ICE shares the city’s ultimate objective to protect public safety and national security while simultaneously preserving the critical community-police bond. Unfortunately, elected officials are putting politics before the law, and most significantly before the safety of the communities they swore to serve.”
Mr. Romero-Bisos was initially arrested October 17, 2019, for the criminal offenses of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion, unlawful contact with a minor/sex offense, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault without consent, sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, corruption of minors, indecent assault of a person less than 13 years old, reckless endangerment of another person and harassment. Also on October 17, 2019, the Philadelphia Police department charged Mr. Romero-Bisos in a second scheme of criminal conduct with unlawful restraint with serious bodily injury, indecent assault without consent, simple assault and harassment.
That same day, ICE filed an immigration detainer with the Philadelphia Police Department. Despite a detainer lodged by immigration officials to take Mr. Romero-Bisos into ICE custody, the Philadelphia Police Department released him back onto the streets.
On November 8, 2019, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) deportation officers were able to locate and arrest Mr. Romero-Bisos. He is currently detained in ICE custody pending the disposition of his immigration proceedings.
About Detainers
Under federal law, ICE has the authority to lodge immigration detainers with law enforcement partners who have custody of individuals arrested on criminal charges and who ICE has probable cause to believe are removable aliens. The detainer form asks the other law enforcement agency to notify ICE in advance of release and to maintain custody of the alien for a brief period of time so that ICE can take custody of that person in a safe and secure setting upon release from that agency’s custody. Yet, across the United States, several jurisdictions refuse to honor detainers and instead choose to willingly release criminal offenders back into their local communities where they are free to offend.
When law enforcement agencies fail to honor immigration detainers and release a criminal alien onto the streets, it negatively impacts public safety.
Sanctuary Policies Put Public Safety at Risk
- Sanctuary policies leave ICE with no choice but to increase enforcement in neighborhoods and workplaces to locate and arrest these persons while they are at-large – increasing the likelihood that other individuals previously not targeted for arrest will be taken into ICE custody.
- It is safer for everyone if ICE takes custody of an alien in the controlled environment of another law enforcement agency as opposed to visiting an alien’s residence, place of work, or other public area. Arresting a criminal in the safety, security, and privacy of a jail is always the best option.
- When law enforcement agencies don’t honor ICE detainers, these individuals, who often have significant criminal histories, are released onto the street, presenting a potential public safety threat.
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