The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is touting the arrest of an illegal alien in New York who allegedly set fire to several cars, an arrest they say was made possible by the cooperation of local authorities with federal immigration enforcement.
On May 10, the Nassau County Police, in cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Elder Lopez-Avalos, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala who allegedly set fire to 10 cars, including in the vicinity of a daycare center.
On May 12, Lopez-Avalos was taken into ICE custody.
“Thanks to ICE and CBP law enforcement, this criminal illegal alien charged with arson was arrested by ICE on May 12,” DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement of the arrest.
“This pyromaniac set fire to 11 cars and was a clear public safety threat. If you come to our country illegally and break our laws, we will arrest you and deport you,” she added.
Although DHS applauds Nassau County’s cooperation with ICE in the apprehension of Lopez-Avalos, they are harshly critical of some New York jurisdictions’ non-cooperation with ICE.
