By USA Daily Now 
In a recent development, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has strongly criticized a sanctuary county in Maryland for releasing an illegal immigrant accused of murder, despite a federal detainer request. ICE announced the arrest of RENE POP-CHUB, a 32-year-old Guatemalan national, in Hyattsville, Maryland, on Saturday, April 13. This arrest came just four days after the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections (PGCDC) released Pop-Chub back into the community.
According to ICE, PGCDC failed to honor an immigration detainer for Pop-Chub, who is facing serious charges, including murder, second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment. “When jurisdictions refuse to honor our immigration detainers, they put their own communities at risk — as was the case here, where a dangerous illegal alien charged with murder and assault was released back onto the streets,” stated NIKITA BAKER, ICE Baltimore Acting Field Office Director, in a written statement.
Baker commended the efforts of ICE officers, adding, “Thanks to the unwavering dedication and tireless efforts of our officers, this individual has been taken back into custody. Their work ensures that he will now face justice and will no longer pose a threat to public safety in Maryland.”
Pop-Chub has a history of illegal entries into the U.S., having been deported to Guatemala in 2023 and 2017. ICE has not disclosed the specifics of his latest illegal re-entry. Authorities initially arrested Pop-Chub on August 19, 2024, when the Prince George’s County Police Department charged him with first-degree assault. ICE Baltimore lodged an immigration detainer with PGCDC on October 9, 2024. Subsequently, the District Court for Prince George’s County forwarded his case to the Circuit Court for charges including murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment.
Despite this, PGCDC declined to honor ICE’s detainer and released Pop-Chub on April 8. Following his recent arrest, Pop-Chub was transferred to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
**Sources:**
[ICE Official Statement](https://www.ice.gov)
[Prince George’s County Department of Corrections](https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov)