The following is an excerpt from The Hill.
The man who allegedly attacked Paul Pelosi, husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), is in the country illegally and could ultimately be deported, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
A Homeland Security spokesman issued a statement late last week saying that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged an “immigration detainer” on suspect David DePape Tuesday. DePape faces multiple federal and state charges after an assault on Pelosi with a hammer.
The spokesman said records show DePape, a Canadian national, entered the US as a temporary visitor in March 2008. He entered at the San Ysidro point of entry on the border between California and Mexico.
Admissible Canadian travelers who are visiting the US for business or pleasure usually do not need to obtain a visa, but they are generally admitted for six months.
ICE places a detainer on someone if they’ve been arrested on criminal charges and the agency has probable cause to believe they can be deported, the spokesperson said.
The detainer serves as a request for the law enforcement agency that is holding the suspect to notify the federal agency before releasing them from custody, so ICE can take them into their custody.
In sanctuary cities and states, officials have refused to provide the notification, releasing convicted criminals who are illegal immigrants into the US where they frequently go on to commit more crimes.
DePape is facing federal charges of assault and attempted kidnapping, as well as state charges including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and threatening the life or serious bodily harm of a public official.
The details of the attack remain murky, as officials have changed their reporting, kept some details hidden. It’s been reported that the Capitol Police had surveillance cameras recording the whole incident but didn’t notice the alleged break-in.
In August, Pelosi pleaded guilty to DUI and was sentenced to five days in jail. As part of his plea deal, a more serious charge, driving with a .08% blood alcohol level or higher causing injury , was dismissed.
Read more here.
