During a visit to the Farmville Detention Center in Prince Edward County, Virginia, on August 8, Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) met with several detainees who are described by officials as criminal illegal aliens. The meeting included individuals with ties to MS-13 and 18th Street gangs, as well as those convicted of various offenses such as drug trafficking and repeated driving under the influence.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Congressman Beyer specifically requested meetings with certain detainees, including an 18th Street gang member, a drug trafficker, and a repeat DUI offender. He also met with an MS-13 gang member.
Following his tour, Beyer told media outlets that "maybe as many as three quarters" of the detainees "only have a civil reason for being there," based on his conversations during the visit. However, DHS provided different figures about the population at Farmville Detention Center. According to their data, 66% of detainees have been convicted or charged with crimes in the United States. This statistic does not account for those facing criminal charges in their home countries, confirmed gang affiliations, or suspected terrorists.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commented on Beyer's visit: “Congressman Beyer personally requested to meet with an 18th Street gang member, drug trafficker, and repeat DUI offender who are in our country illegally,” said McLaughlin. "He continues to do the bidding of dangerous criminal illegal aliens that endanger his own constituents. When will Congressman Beyer meet with the American victims of these illegal aliens’ violent crimes?”
The individuals named by DHS whom Congressman Beyer met include Carlos Amaya—an MS-13 gang member convicted of four counts of assault and battery and three counts of gang participation; Ricardo Hernandez Mendez—an 18th Street gang member convicted of multiple offenses including assault and battery, burglary to commit armed larceny, armed petit larceny, abduction by force or intimidation or deception, misdemeanor assault, parental kidnapping, and simple assault; Denis Hernandez Medina—a person convicted for possession and distribution of drugs; and Kevin Mark Cash—convicted of driving under the influence and two counts of reckless driving.
