Honduran illegal immigrant released after assault on minor charge rearrested in Boston | The post-millennial

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement along with Removal Operations (ERO) in Boston has re-arrested a Honduran national who was illegally present in the United States. They criticized local officials for releasing him despite an immigration detention.

The 26-year-old Honduran national, arrested for first-degree sexual assault of a minor, was apprehended April 4 in New Britain by ERO Boston’s field office in Hartford. Despite ICE issuing an immigration detainer, local officials released him from the Hartford Correctional Center.

The Honduran national entered the country illegally in 2013 near Rio Grande City, where he was arrested by Border Patrol and given a warrant to appear before an immigration judge.

In September 2023, he was arrested in New Britain on sexual assault charges, including assault on a minor under the age of 13.

ERO Boston filed a warrant against him at the Hartford Correctional Center the following month, but officials ignored this and released him in February 2024. He is now in ICE custody awaiting removal proceedings, the federal agency said.

“This is a troubling example of how uncooperative jurisdictions can pose a significant threat to communities in our region,” said Todd M. Lyons, director of the ERO Boston Field Office.

“Despite the presence of an immigration officer, local authorities released an alleged sexual predator onto the streets of a Connecticut neighborhood. ERO Boston stands ready to work with local jurisdictions to prioritize public safety throughout New England.”

This incident follows a similar incident earlier this month, in which Boston ICE criticized the Middlesex County House of Corrections for ignoring a detainee of a Brazilian national accused of child sex crimes.

The detainees are to notify law enforcement to hold non-citizens in custody for an additional 48 hours for ICE’s removal purposes.