U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) criticized a Maryland county that provides sanctuary to immigrants after an individual accused of murder was released from local custody despite an ICE request to detain him.
ICE arrested 32-year-old Rene Pop-Chub, a Guatemalan national, in Hyattsville, Maryland. This occurred four days after the Prince Georges County Department of Corrections released Pop-Chub back into the community.
According to ICE, the Prince Georges County Department of Corrections failed to comply with an ICE immigration detainer for Pop-Chub. ICE stated that Pop-Chub is facing charges of murder, second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment.
ICE officials expressed concern, stating that jurisdictions that do not honor immigration detainers put their communities at risk. They highlighted the case of Pop-Chub, who was released despite being charged with serious crimes. ICE confirmed that Pop-Chub was taken back into custody.
Pop-Chub had previously been deported to Guatemala in both 2023 and 2017 after illegally entering the United States. The circumstances of his third illegal entry are currently unknown.
Pop-Chub was initially apprehended by the Prince George’s County Police Department on August 19, 2024, and charged with first-degree assault. ICE Baltimore subsequently issued an immigration detainer to the Prince Georges County Department of Corrections on October 9, 2024. The District Court for Prince George’s County later forwarded Pop-Chub's case to the Circuit Court for charges including murder.
Despite the ICE detainer, the Prince Georges County Department of Corrections chose not to honor it and released Pop-Chub on April 8. Following his recent arrest, Pop-Chub was transferred to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
5 Comments
Answer
The decision to release someone with a history of illegal entry and serious charges is just plain irresponsible. Public safety should come first!
The Truth
Another example of how sanctuary policies endanger our communities. It's time to reconsider these laws immediately!
Answer
I can't believe this county would choose to ignore a request from ICE. They are failing the community they are supposed to protect!
The Truth
Pop-Chub should never have been released back into the community. This is a failure of the justice system to ensure safety.
ZmeeLove
If local authorities won't cooperate with ICE, they should be held accountable for any crimes committed by released individuals. This is unacceptable!