DHS Cites Virginia as ‘Hotbed’ for Immigrant Crime Amid Latest Arrest

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has intensified its criticism of Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, labeling the state a “hotbed of illegal alien crime” following the recent arrest of a twice-deported immigrant charged with rape and abduction. The agency is urging the governor to prevent the release of the suspect, Juan Arevalo Mendez, and instead hand him over to federal immigration authorities.

DHS Accuses Governor Spanberger of Being ‘Too Soft’

In a pointed statement, DHS directly addressed Governor Spanberger, asserting that under her leadership, Virginia has become a focal point for criminal activity by individuals in the country unlawfully. The latest case involves Juan Arevalo Mendez, a 46-year-old national of El Salvador, who was apprehended in Prince William County. He faces charges of rape and abduction with the intent to sexually assault, stemming from an alleged incident in Fairfax County last September.

According to DHS, Mendez first entered the United States legally in 1991. However, his legal status was revoked after a property destruction conviction in 1998. He was subsequently deported in 2003, only to re-enter the country illegally. A second deportation occurred in 2014, followed by another unlawful re-entry at an unspecified time. His criminal record is extensive, reportedly including multiple convictions for assault (including aggravated assault and assault with a weapon), drug possession, obstruction of justice, identity theft, and larceny.

Federal Authorities Push for Custody Transfer

On the day of Mendez’s arrest, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed a detainer with Fairfax County officials, requesting they hold him in custody. Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis issued a strong appeal, calling on Governor Spanberger and other officials in Fairfax County, which she characterized as a “sanctuary” jurisdiction, to refrain from releasing Mendez. Bis emphasized the need to transfer him to ICE custody for removal from the country to prevent further alleged criminal actions.

“Virginia sanctuary politicians need to stop playing Russian roulette with American lives and work with ICE law enforcement to keep criminals out of our communities,” Bis stated. She argued that such policies endanger the public and hinder federal efforts to enforce immigration laws.

Local Law Enforcement’s Role

Allyson Conroy, a spokesperson for the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed that Mendez is currently detained at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. She clarified that while the legal proceedings are ongoing, ICE has been informed of Mendez’s location and has the ability to take him into custody should he be ordered released by the court. Conroy stressed that the Sheriff’s Office does not impede ICE’s ability to act on its civil detainers.

DHS also pointed to Governor Spanberger’s executive order that terminated the state’s 287(g) program, a partnership that allows state and local law enforcement to collaborate with federal immigration authorities. The agency suggested this action contributes to the rise in alleged crimes committed by individuals in the country illegally.

Fairfax County Highlighted in DHS Data

The DHS statement specifically highlighted Fairfax County, a populous suburb of Washington, D.C., as being particularly affected by crimes attributed to immigrants residing in the U.S. without legal status. The county is led by a Democratic prosecutor, Steve Descano, and a Democratic sheriff, Stacey Kincaid, both of whom have faced criticism from local groups like Virginians for Safe Communities and the Victims Rights Reform Council for their approach to immigration enforcement, which these groups describe as “sanctuary-style.”

The agency cited 17 alleged serious crimes committed by individuals in the U.S. illegally in Virginia during 2026, with nine of those incidents occurring in Fairfax County. The DHS also detailed several other cases where ICE lodged detainers with Fairfax County:

• In June, ICE sought custody of Moises Domingo Rico Rosales, an immigrant from Nicaragua arrested for abduction and indecent exposure.
• Cristian Wilfredo Alvarenga Aguilar, an immigrant from El Salvador, was charged with abduction, assault, carjacking, and robbery.
• In May, ICE arrested Walvin Victor Hugo Garcia after his release by Fairfax County, despite facing charges of raping a child under 13.
• The month prior, ICE apprehended Roni Mendez-Escobar, an immigrant from Guatemala, who was released while charged with possession of child pornography with intent to distribute.
• Also in April, ICE placed detainers for:
• Israel Christopher Flores-Ortiz, an immigrant from El Salvador convicted of nine counts of assault and battery for groping underage girls.
• Misael Lopez Gomez, an immigrant from Guatemala charged with murder and felony child abuse in connection with the death of his infant daughter.
• Maldin Anibal Guzman-Videz and Luis Alonzo Sort-Portillo, both immigrants from El Salvador, who were convicted of murder and received five-year plea deals for stabbing a man to death.
• In March, ICE lodged a detainer for Anibal Armando Chavarria Muy, an immigrant from Guatemala, charged with second-degree murder in a fatal stabbing.

Representatives for Governor Spanberger’s office and Prosecutor Steve Descano’s office were contacted for comment regarding these assertions.