[MAIL] An illegal immigrant accused of killing a woman in a hit-and-run car crash in Texas in November 2020 is no longer facing deportation after Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas changed rules to lower the number of removals.
Heriberto Fuerte-Padilla was driving drunk in November 2020 when he caused a car crash, killing 19-year-old Adrienne Sophia. The accused tried to flee the scene but was caught by police.
While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initially wanted authorities to deport Fuerte-Padilla after Texas issued its punishment, the federal agency changed its mind because the individual does not qualify for priority deportation under Mayorkas' new rules issued in September 2021.
Under Mayorkas' recently updated rules, according to The Washington Times, many deportation requests were canceled for illegal immigrants who are accused, charged, pleaded guilty to felony charges of evading arrest or even those who have already been convicted of drunk driving, drug possession or domestic assault.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told Texas that these detainers – or requests for deportation – are no longer considered 'priority lifts', indicating they aren't seen as important targets under Mayorkas' rules. |