ICE Seeks Custody of Undocumented Man Accused in North Carolina Toddler's Drowning Death

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued a detainer request for an individual identified as an undocumented Salvadoran national, who is accused in connection with the drowning death of a 14-month-old toddler. The detainer, filed with North Carolina authorities, seeks to prevent the release of Angel Israel Deras-Rivas, who was taken into custody on Sunday in Garner.

Deras-Rivas, 19, was reportedly caring for his stepchild when the incident occurred. According to an arrest warrant cited by local media, he allegedly left the toddler unsupervised in a bathtub filled with water, which resulted in the child's death. The tragic event unfolded just months after Deras-Rivas married the child's mother in April.

Federal immigration officials have stated that Deras-Rivas unlawfully entered the United States through Texas in October 2023 and was subsequently released into the country.

Biden Administration Policies Criticized

The circumstances surrounding the case have drawn criticism regarding current immigration policies. Secretary Markwayne Mullin of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) commented on the situation, suggesting that the administration's immigration approach contributed to the events.

“That child would still be alive today if it weren’t for the reckless open-border policies of the Biden administration that released this criminal into our country in the first place. ICE is calling on officials in North Carolina to commit to not releasing this killer from jail, and to turn him over to ICE custody so we can get him out of our country.”

ICE reportedly filed the detainer with the Wake County Sheriff's Department on the same day Deras-Rivas was arrested.

Understanding an ICE Detainer

An ICE detainer serves as a request from federal immigration authorities to local law enforcement agencies. It typically asks that the local agency notify ICE prior to an individual's scheduled release from custody. Furthermore, it requests that the individual be held for an additional period, usually up to 48 hours beyond their release date, to allow ICE agents sufficient time to assume federal custody for potential removal proceedings from the country.