DHS Urges Sanctuary Politicians Not to Release Alien Charged with Assault

DHS Press Releases

Published March 16th, 2026

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a press release urging Fairfax County, Virginia politicians not to release an undocumented immigrant charged with multiple counts of assault and battery. The individual, who allegedly groped high school students, was previously released into the country under current administration policies.

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What changed

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a press release on March 16, 2026, detailing a request from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to Fairfax County, Virginia officials. ICE urged local politicians not to release Israel Christopher Flores-Ortiz, a 19-year-old undocumented immigrant from El Salvador, who was arrested on nine counts of assault and battery for allegedly groping high school students. The release highlights the individual's illegal entry in 2024 and subsequent release under current immigration policies, framing it as a consequence of the Biden Administration's border policies and Governor Spanberger's decision to end cooperation with ICE.

This notice serves as a public statement and a call to action for local officials regarding a specific case, emphasizing the perceived risks to public safety when cooperation between federal immigration authorities and local law enforcement is limited. While not a formal regulatory change, it signals DHS's stance on sanctuary policies and their impact on apprehending individuals accused of serious crimes. Regulated entities, particularly those in jurisdictions with similar policies, should be aware of the increased scrutiny and potential for federal intervention in cases involving undocumented immigrants accused of violent crimes.

What to do next

Review local law enforcement cooperation agreements with federal immigration agencies.
Assess internal policies regarding the handling of individuals with pending immigration cases and criminal charges.
Monitor federal and state pronouncements regarding immigration enforcement priorities and sanctuary policies.

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DHS Asks Fairfax County Sanctuary Politicians Not to Release Illegal Alien Pedophile Charged with Assault after He Groped High School Girls

DHS Asks Fairfax County Sanctuary Politicians Not to Release Illegal Alien Pedophile Charged with Assault after He Groped High School Girls

Release Date: March 16, 2026
This criminal illegal alien reportedly assaulted multiple underaged girls and attended 11th grade as a 19-year-old

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requested Fairfax County, Virginia sanctuary politicians not to release Israel Christopher Flores-Ortiz, a 19-year-old criminal illegal alien from El Salvador who was arrested for nine counts of assault and battery. According to local reports, this criminal alien groped multiple girls while attending a local high school despite the fact he is a 19-year-old adult. He is accused of repeatedly creeping up behind the students in crowded hallways and grabbing them between the legs.

Flores-Ortiz illegally entered the United States in 2024 and was RELEASED into the country under the Biden administration.

“This 19-year-old criminal illegal alien should NOT have been attending a Virginia high school and allowed to prey on innocent teenage girls. He now faces nine counts of assault and battery. This is yet another example of the Biden Administration’s failed open border policies,” said DHS Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “We are calling on Fairfax County sanctuary politicians to NOT release this predator from jail back into our communities to assault more teenage women. Unfortunately, Governor Abigail Spanberger ended cooperation with ICE and is siding with criminal illegal aliens over American citizens.”

Governor Spanberger’s decision to end cooperation with ICE in Virginia has allowed criminals to be released back into American communities. When politicians bar local law enforcement from working with DHS, our law enforcement officers need to have a more visible presence so that we can find and apprehend the criminals let out of jails and back into communities. While Governor Spanberger continues to allow the release of pedophiles, rapists, gang members, and murderers onto Virginia’s streets, DHS law enforcement will continue to risk their lives to arrest these heinous criminals.

DHS law enforcement is protecting American communities every day from another senseless tragedy like this taking place in another town, to another family. Victims of illegal alien crime may receive support from the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office by contacting 1-855-488-6423.