U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has requested that local authorities in Asheville, North Carolina, not release Juan Ramon Juarez-Talamantes, a Mexican national who was arrested on November 19, 2025. Juarez-Talamantes faces two counts of rape of a child under the age of 15 and was charged with a third count on January 22, 2026, after another victim was identified.
Local officials in Asheville have previously indicated they will not use county resources to enforce federal immigration laws. ICE reports that nearly 1,400 detainers across North Carolina have not been honored by local jurisdictions. As a result, individuals described by ICE as criminal illegal aliens have been released from jail into communities rather than being transferred to federal custody.
“This depraved sicko is charged with raping three children. This criminal illegal alien has no place in American communities,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “We are calling on Asheville sanctuary politicians to commit to not releasing this pedophile back into our communities to prey on more innocent children. If politicians allow state and local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE, we can get criminals like this out of our country.”
The Department of Homeland Security states its law enforcement agencies work daily to protect communities from similar incidents. Victims affected by crimes committed by undocumented immigrants can seek assistance through the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office at 1-855-488-6423.
