An undocumented immigrant convicted of rape was caught on camera smirking as ICE agents finally arrested him after Maryland sanctuary policies allowed him to evade federal custody twice. Alex Yonatan Flores-Arce, an undocumented immigrant convicted of second-degree rape, was detained by ICE after being protected by Maryland’s sanctuary laws. Howard County officials twice ignored ICE detainers, releasing Flores-Arce despite his conviction and a 15-year prison sentence.
Maryland’s Sanctuary Policies Shield Convicted Rapist from ICE
ICE agents have detained Alex Yonatan Flores-Arce, an undocumented immigrant convicted of second-degree rape, after Howard County officials in Maryland twice released him despite federal detainer requests. Flores-Arce had been sentenced to 15 years in prison with five years of supervised probation for his crime, but sanctuary policies prevented local authorities from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The illegal immigrant, who entered the United States in 2019 through the U.S.-Mexico border, is now in ICE custody pending deportation proceedings.
Howard County officials first released Flores-Arce on May 5, ignoring an active ICE detainer that requested his transfer to federal custody. Later, when he was arrested for violating probation, county authorities again declined to notify ICE before his release. Federal agents were forced to apprehend him as he exited the Howard County Detention Center, with exclusive footage showing him smirking during his arrest—an image that has sparked outrage among critics of sanctuary policies.
An illegal alien, convicted of rape, smirked as ICE agents busted him in the sanctuary state of Maryland which had previously protected him from federal immigration enforcement, exclusive footage shared with Breitbart News shows.
— JB Slear (@JB_Slear) May 28, 2025
ICE Officials Condemn Non-Cooperation by Local Authorities
Federal immigration officials have publicly criticized Howard County’s decision not to honor the detainer requests, arguing that such policies directly threaten public safety. The conflict highlights the ongoing tension between federal immigration enforcement priorities and local sanctuary policies, which limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. These policies are designed to encourage immigrant communities to interact with local police without fear of deportation, but critics argue they shield dangerous criminals.
“The decision by Howard County Detention Center to ignore our immigration detainer and release a removable individual with an egregious criminal history undermines public safety and put Maryland communities at risk.” Nikita Baker, ICE Baltimore acting Field Office Director
Baker’s statement reflects frustration felt by federal authorities who contend that sanctuary policies create unnecessary obstacles in apprehending individuals who pose genuine public safety threats. ICE has consistently maintained that their enforcement priorities focus on those with serious criminal convictions rather than immigration violations alone. The agency insists that detainer requests serve as a crucial tool in identifying and removing dangerous non-citizens from communities.
Illegal Alien Rapist Smirks as ICE Agents Arrest Him in Sanctuary State Marylandhttps://t.co/LwXZMLPsG9
— Juan Delano 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@RJrs3n927) May 28, 2025
Pattern of Similar Cases Across Maryland
The Flores-Arce case is not isolated. In a separate incident, ICE recently arrested Henry Argueta-Tobar, a Guatemalan national convicted of raping a Maryland resident. Argueta-Tobar first entered the U.S. in 2019 as an unaccompanied minor near El Paso, Texas. After his arrest by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office in 2023 for second-degree rape, the local detention center also declined to honor an ICE detainer request. He received a 20-year sentence with most suspended, serving only 190 days.
These cases represent part of a larger pattern across Maryland, with ICE recently making similar arrests of individuals from Colombia and Chad who had criminal convictions. The enforcement actions reflect ICE’s stated mission to prioritize the removal of individuals who pose threats to public safety or national security, particularly those with convictions for violent crimes. Meanwhile, Maryland Governor Wes Moore has disputed characterizations of state policy, insisting that “nowhere does a state have an ICE policy” and suggesting claims to the contrary are politically motivated.