U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged a detainer on July 16 for Diego Moreno-Espinoza, an illegal alien from Mexico, who was arrested in Wichita, Kansas, after allegedly shooting and injuring a 12-year-old girl. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Moreno-Espinoza faces one charge of aggravated battery after reportedly handling a gun that discharged and struck the victim in the stomach on July 3. The girl was taken to the hospital in serious condition.
Wichita police arrested Moreno-Espinoza following the incident, and ICE filed a detainer with Sedgwick County Jail on the same day as his arrest. The Department of Homeland Security said that it has asked Kansas officials not to release him from jail.
Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said, “This criminal illegal alien is charged with aggravated battery after he shot a 12-year-old girl. This criminal would not even be in our country if it weren’t for the reckless open-border policies of the Biden Administration that released this thug into our country. We have requested Kansas officials turn this criminal over to ICE so he cannot commit more heinous crimes in our country.”
The Department of Homeland Security stated that Moreno-Espinoza entered the United States illegally as a minor through Arizona in 2024 and was released into the country by federal authorities under current administration policies.
Officials have not released further details about court proceedings or future actions regarding Moreno-Espinoza’s immigration status.