The Department of Homeland Security announced on Apr. 1 that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued an arrest detainer requesting that Virginia officials not release Misael Lopez Gomez, a Guatemalan national, from jail after he was charged with the murder of his three-month-old daughter in Fairfax County.
The case is significant as it highlights concerns about the release of individuals accused of violent crimes who are also undocumented immigrants. The department said this request comes amid ongoing debate over local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
According to the announcement, Fairfax County Police responded to a call on March 27 regarding an unresponsive infant. After unsuccessful CPR attempts, the child was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. Preliminary findings from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined blunt force trauma as the cause of death. At that time, Lopez Gomez was reportedly caring for his daughter and now faces charges including murder and felony child abuse.
Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said, “This cold-blooded killer murdered his own three-month-old daughter. We are calling on Governor Spanberger to commit to not releasing this barbaric animal from jail into Virginia communities.” Bis also said, “This monster should have never been allowed in our country by the Biden administration. We need cooperation from sanctuary politicians to stop criminals from being released from jail to perpetrate more crimes and create more innocent victims.”
Lopez Gomez admitted entering the United States illegally near Albuquerque, New Mexico in July 2023 under current federal policy, according to ICE. The agency lodged its detainer specifically requesting notification before any potential release.
The announcement noted that Lopez Gomez’s arrest follows two other recent cases involving non-citizens: Anibal Armando Chavarria Muy was arrested for a fatal stabbing in Fairfax County just one day earlier; Abdul Jalloh, an undocumented immigrant from Sierra Leone with more than 30 prior arrests, was arrested last month for allegedly fatally stabbing Stephanie Minter at a Fredericksburg bus stop.
The Department concluded by stating ICE has placed detainers on both individuals recently arrested for homicide.
