The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said on May 5 that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Walvin Victor Hugo Garcia, a Guatemalan national, following his appearance in Fairfax County Court after multiple local charges.
According to the Department of Homeland Security news release, ICE arrested Garcia on May 1 after he appeared in Fairfax County Court. The man was charged in June 2025 with rape of a child under 13, aggravated sexual battery of a victim under 13, use of a computer to commit a sex offense with a minor and distributing drugs to a minor. ICE lodged a detainer after Garcia’s June 2025 local arrest and asked Fairfax County officials not to release him. On May 1, Garcia was allowed to leave court without ICE being notified. The incident highlights ongoing issues related to cooperation between federal immigration authorities and local jurisdictions, according to DHS.
Garcia entered the United States near Eagle Pass, Texas, in October 2023. A Virginia immigration judge issued a final order of removal for Garcia in February 2025, according to Fox News.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security oversees federal work related to border security, immigration enforcement, cybersecurity and emergency response. ICE, as part of DHS, issues immigration detainers asking local agencies to notify ICE before releasing certain individuals from custody, according to the department.
