California Sheriff Rejects ICE Detainer After Fatal Hit-and-Run Kills 11-Year-Old Boy

The death of an 11-year-old boy in a Thanksgiving Day hit-and-run in Escondido, California, sparked a dispute between federal immigration authorities and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office over a request to hold the suspect for immigration enforcement.

The case involves Hector Balderas-Aheelor, also known as Hector Amador Balderas, who was arrested in connection with the crash that killed Aiden Antonio Torres De Paz. According to Fox News, the boy was struck by a vehicle after running into the street to retrieve a soccer ball. The driver allegedly fled the scene, and the child later died at the hospital.

The Department of Homeland Security said it submitted an immigration detainer request after Balderas-Aheelor’s arrest. DHS also stated that he had previously been removed from the United States four times.

However, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that it rejected the detainer request, citing California law and its compliance with the California Values Act. The office said it does not hold individuals solely on the basis of federal immigration detainer requests.

The decision drew criticism from federal officials, who argued that the case raised concerns about public safety and immigration enforcement. A spokesperson for California Gov. Gavin Newsom responded that the driver should be held accountable for the fatal crash and said the state’s law did not prevent federal authorities from carrying out their responsibilities.

The case has become part of a wider debate over how local law enforcement agencies cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Supporters of detainer requests argue that they can help federal officials take custody of individuals facing criminal charges, while California’s policies limit local agencies’ involvement in certain federal immigration enforcement activities.

Balderas-Aheelor’s criminal case and any subsequent immigration proceedings are separate legal matters. The allegations connected to the fatal crash must be resolved through the courts.

Source:foxnews.com