A twice-deported Guatemalan migrant charged with murder was released by Maryland officials despite ICE’s detainer request, sparking outrage from immigration authorities who warn such sanctuary policies put communities at risk.
At a Glance
- ICE has condemned Prince George’s County, Maryland, for releasing Rene Pop-Chub, a Guatemalan national charged with murder
- Pop-Chub had been previously deported twice—in 2017 and 2023—before illegally reentering the United States
- County officials ignored ICE’s detainer request, citing sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities
- The case highlights ongoing tensions between federal and local law enforcement over immigration enforcement
- Over 13,000 immigrants convicted of homicide are currently living outside ICE detention in the United States
Maryland County Releases Alleged Murderer Despite ICE Request
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials are strongly criticizing Prince George’s County, Maryland, after local authorities released a Guatemalan national charged with murder despite an immigration detainer.
Rene Pop-Chub, who had been previously deported twice—in 2017 and again in 2023—was arrested by ICE agents in Hyattsville, Maryland. However, when transferred to county custody on murder charges, local officials declined to honor ICE’s request to be notified before his release, allowing Pop-Chub to return to the community before federal authorities could take him into custody.
Prince George’s County is one of numerous jurisdictions across the United States that maintain sanctuary policies, limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. These policies typically restrict local law enforcement from detaining individuals solely on immigration violations or from communicating with ICE about custody status. Proponents argue these policies foster trust between immigrant communities and local police, while critics contend they undermine public safety by releasing potentially dangerous individuals.
Thousands of Criminal Immigrants Outside ICE Detention
The Pop-Chub case occurs against a backdrop of startling statistics about immigrants with criminal convictions currently not in ICE custody. According to data provided to Congress by Acting ICE Director P.J. Lechleitner, over 13,000 immigrants convicted of homicide are currently living outside of ICE detention in the United States. These individuals are part of ICE’s “non-detained” docket, meaning they have pending immigration cases but remain in communities rather than detention facilities.
The Department of Homeland Security has defended these figures, claiming the data spans four decades and includes individuals whose custody determinations were made under previous administrations. Many of these immigrants may be currently incarcerated in state or local facilities, though ICE doesn’t always have access to comprehensive data on their status. As of July, the total number of convicted criminal immigrants on ICE’s non-detained docket exceeded 435,000, part of a larger group of 7.5 million immigrants with pending immigration cases.
ICE Efforts to Target Criminal Immigrants
ICE has been working to prioritize the arrest and deportation of immigrants who pose public safety risks, particularly those with serious criminal convictions. In a recent nationwide operation, the agency arrested 216 noncitizens with criminal charges and convictions, with nearly half being previously deported individuals who had illegally reentered the country. The operation specifically targeted immigration offenders connected to drug crimes and other serious offenses.
However, ICE officials acknowledge facing significant challenges in jurisdictions with sanctuary policies. Acting Director Lechleitner has expressed frustration with laws limiting cooperation between state and local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities. These policies can hamper ICE’s ability to locate, detain, and remove individuals with criminal histories who may pose threats to community safety. The agency continues to seek ways to work with local jurisdictions while fulfilling its immigration enforcement mandate.
Pop-Chub now faces murder charges, and his case underscores the ongoing tensions between federal immigration policies and local sanctuary ordinances. As debates about immigration enforcement continue, cases like this one highlight the complex balance between community policing strategies and national security concerns. ICE has indicated it will continue to pursue custody of Pop-Chub pending the outcome of his criminal proceedings.
