Illegal immigrant accused of strangling his infant sister in Loudoun County, Virginia

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued a deportation order request for a man charged with strangling his infant sister last week in Loudoun County, Virginia.

The baby remains in critical condition, the Department of Homeland Security said.

Alvaro Mejia-Ayala, 21, was charged with strangulation.

Federal immigration authorities said Mr. Mejia-Ayala was allowed into the U.S. by lax border policies during the Obama administration and was granted permission to stay by the Biden administration.

Homeland Security said he came to the U.S. in 2016 as a juvenile, part of a “family unit” from El Salvador that crossed the border illegally. Under a 2015 court ruling, illegal immigrant adults who brought children with them were able to earn a quick catch-and-release.

Mr. Mejia-Ayala’s immigration case was still pending before the immigration courts last year, when the Biden administration in October deemed him a low priority and dismissed the case. That gave him tacit permission to remain in the U.S. indefinitely, Homeland Security said.

Mr. Mejia-Ayala had a previous run-in with police last year, when he was arrested for reckless driving. Local authorities released him before ICE had a chance to lodge a deportation detainer request.

ICE has now lodged one.

“What kind of sick monster strangles a defenseless, innocent baby girl with a charging cord? This barbarism has no place in the U.S.,” Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. “ICE lodged an immigration detainer to ensure this heinous criminal is not released on U.S. streets.”

“We pray for this precious baby,” Ms. McLaughlin added.

Mr. Mejia-Ayala is being held without bond in Loudoun County.