ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Homeland Security officials have confirmed new details about recent immigration enforcement actions in the Arlandria-Chirilagua neighborhood, following growing community concerns and claims of racial profiling by federal agents.
According to Assistant Secretary McLaughlin, on Aug. 19, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested Melvin Lopez, a Mexican national with an active arrest warrant for failure to appear on rape and burglary charges. Homeland Security said Lopez also had previous arrests for DUI, obstructing government affairs and criminal impersonation. His date and method of entry into the U.S. remain unknown.
While taking Lopez into custody, agents also detained three other undocumented immigrants: Isau Sintuj, Axel Daniel Lopez Santiago, and Nelson Rodriguez-Ayala. Federal officials say Sintuj and Lopez Santiago had both been ordered removed by an immigration judge after previously being released into the U.S. under the Biden administration. Rodriguez-Ayala agreed to voluntary departure. The agency has not yet responded when asked if the individuals face current criminal charges…