According to a Fox News open records request, one in every 10 inmates in the Harris County Jail in Texas has a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) hold. An ICE hold is a notice to local law enforcement that ICE intends to take the person into custody, requesting information on when the suspect will be released and asking officers to hold them for up to 48 hours. Currently, out of the 9,527 inmates in the Harris County Jail, 1,170 have ICE holds, all of them costing taxpayers as their cases go through the court system. As of September, there are 174 ICE detainers linked to sexual assault cases, with more than half involving children under 14. Additionally, 43% of cases with ICE holds involve violent crimes, including 75 murder cases.
Among the cases with ICE holds are two illegal migrants from Venezuela charged with capital murder, sexual assault, and kidnapping in the death of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray. Another suspect, Osman Estanly Solorzano Sanchez, is accused of killing 27-year-old Ricardo Vega during a road rage incident in April. Vega, who left behind a wife and two children, called 911 before he was shot, informing dispatchers he was following the armed suspect. Sanchez, an illegal migrant from Honduras, has been arrested in connection with the murder. Vega’s mother, Victoria Garcia, expressed her devastation over the loss of her son and her determination to seek justice for him through the legal system. She emphasizes the importance of immigration and the pursuit of a better life but believes that the country must be cautious about who is allowed to enter.
Garcia shared that her son enjoyed cooking and fishing and had a smile that could light up a room. She vows to continue fighting for justice for her son, stating that while Ricardo is not able to fight his own battle, she will fight on his behalf. She emphasizes that the decision to take someone’s life is a choice made by individuals, such as Osman Sanchez, and that the consequences of those choices cannot be ignored. Despite her grief, Garcia remains resolute in her determination to seek justice for her son and ensure that his case is not overlooked or forgotten. She stresses that she did not ask for her son to be murdered and that she will continue to fight for justice on his behalf.
In response to the records request, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office provided the requested information, revealing the significant number of inmates with ICE holds in their custody. However, other Texas counties, such as Dallas County and Travis County, denied the records request and referred it to the Attorney General’s Office. This reluctance to provide information on inmates with ICE holds suggests a potential lack of transparency in the handling of such cases in these counties. As the cases of inmates with ICE holds continue to go through the legal system, the impact on taxpayers and families affected by these crimes remains a significant concern. The ongoing debate over immigration policies and public safety underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in handling such cases.
