ICE detains illegal immigrant child molester after Washington State released him

In a statement, ICE officials said, “Eduardo Roman Velazquez served a 15-month sentence for child sexual abuse and rape. Then, this Mexican criminal alien was released into Washington due to sanctuary policies. Thanks to ICE and U.S. Border Patrol, he’ll stay with us, and away from children, pending an immigration judge’s deportation decision.”

ICE blasted Washington’s sanctuary laws, which prevent state and local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, accusing them of enabling predators to remain in the country unlawfully.

"Sanctuary policies allow predators like him to remain in the U.S. after their release from prison in violation of U.S. immigration law enacted by Congress," ICE wrote.

Washington’s sanctuary state laws, enacted under former Governor Jay Inslee and expanded when Bob Ferguson served as Attorney General, have been blamed for multiple preventable tragedies, including at least four deaths.

One of the most high-profile cases occurred in March 2024, when Trooper Christopher Gadd, a 27-year-old Washington State Patrol officer, was killed by Raul Benitez-Santana, an illegal immigrant with a lengthy criminal record. Driving 107 mph under the influence, Benitez-Santana struck Trooper Gadd’s patrol car on I-5 near Marysville. Gadd left behind a wife and 2-year-old daughter.

Despite his criminal history, including prior arrests for domestic violence and repeated driving offenses, Benitez-Santana was able to remain in the US because of Washington’s sanctuary protections. Jurors in his vehicular homicide trial were never informed of his immigration status. He has since been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison and faces deportation upon release.