U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) posted a series of statements on December 19, 2025, addressing recent enforcement issues, commemorating an officer's legacy, and commenting on cooperation with local authorities.
In a post at 15:02 UTC, ICE stated: "Fortino Maldonado-Pena has multiple convictions, including those for robbery, larceny and false imprisonment."
At 15:16 UTC the same day, ICE commented on local law enforcement practices in Virginia: "If Fairfax County would have simply worked to uphold our nation’s laws, and honored our detainer, then this tragedy may have never happened." This reflects ongoing concerns from federal agencies regarding some jurisdictions' decisions not to honor immigration detainers—requests from ICE asking local law enforcement to hold individuals for potential deportation proceedings. The issue of compliance with such detainers has been a point of contention between federal and certain local governments in recent years.
Later that day at 19:05 UTC, ICE paid tribute to a fallen officer: "Today we honor the 19-year legacy of Deportation Officer David Mize who died in the line of duty in 2021 from COVID-19 in Colorado. ICE remembers you and pledges its continued resolve to ensure public safety and national security. See his story: https://t.co/vHCZX9rglF https://t.co/fNRSz5RR0K" The mention highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on law enforcement personnel. According to federal records, several Department of Homeland Security employees lost their lives due to COVID-19 while serving during the pandemic.
The statements come amid ongoing debates over immigration policy and collaboration between federal agencies like ICE and local jurisdictions. Federal agencies often express concern when local authorities decline to cooperate with immigration enforcement requests, arguing that such decisions can hinder efforts to remove individuals with criminal convictions from the country.
