ICE Clashes with Charlotte Officials Over Custody of Attempted Murder Suspect Found Naked in Snowy Park
Federal immigration authorities have officially requested that Charlotte, North Carolina, law enforcement turn over custody of a Mexican national accused of a violent domestic assault, reigniting a long-standing debate over local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed they have lodged a detainer against the suspect, who was discovered by police naked in a snowy park following an alleged attempt to kill his ex-girlfriend. The suspect, identified as an unlawfully present Mexican national, faces charges including attempted first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, and assault by strangulation.
According to police reports, the incident began when the suspect allegedly forced his way into his ex-girlfriend’s home. Officers responding to the distress call tracked the suspect to a nearby park, where he was found hiding without clothing despite freezing winter conditions. He was taken into custody and treated for cold exposure before being booked into the Mecklenburg County Detention Center.
ICE officials state that the suspect has a prior removal history and argue that releasing him back into the community poses a significant public safety threat. “ICE is urging Charlotte officials to honor the detainer and transfer custody to federal agents rather than releasing a violent offender back onto the streets,” a spokesperson for the agency stated.
However, the request faces significant hurdles due to local policy. The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), led by Sheriff Garry McFadden, ended its participation in the 287(g) program in 2018. Under current county policy, the Sheriff’s Office generally declines to honor civil immigration detainers unless they are accompanied by a judicial warrant signed by a judge or magistrate.
Defenders of the Sheriff’s policy argue that the separation of local policing and federal immigration enforcement is vital for community safety. Civil rights advocates and legal experts contend that civil detainers are merely administrative requests, not criminal warrants, and holding individuals past their release date without a judicial order violates Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable seizure. Furthermore, proponents of the non-cooperation policy assert that immigrant communities are less likely to report crimes or cooperate with investigations if they believe local police act as an arm of deportation forces.
“The Sheriff’s Office is responsible for enforcing state law, not federal civil immigration statutes,” a representative for local immigrant advocacy groups noted regarding similar cases. “Bypassing due process to hold individuals for ICE undermines the trust required for effective community policing.”
This incident highlights the ongoing friction between the Biden administration’s targeted enforcement priorities and local “sanctuary” policies. While ICE prioritizes the removal of non-citizens who pose a threat to national security or public safety, the agency relies heavily on the cooperation of local jails to take custody of these individuals before they are bonded out.
As the suspect awaits trial for the attempted murder charges, it remains unclear whether Mecklenburg County will alter its protocol or if the suspect will be released on bond, potentially putting him beyond the immediate reach of federal agents.
