ICE Miami took custody of Eledoro Valenzuela Rodriguez, a Cuban national, from the Miami-Dade Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. He had a final removal order since 1980 but was repeatedly released by local authorities in New York and Maryland.
According to an ICE press release, Rodriguez faces pending charges for cocaine possession with intent to sell, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and trespassing. ICE said local policies in New York and Maryland allowed him to be released despite federal detainers. Miami-Dade County officials transferred Rodriguez to federal custody following his latest arrest.
According to testimony before the Senate Budget Committee, local jurisdictions released more than 426,000 noncitizens sought by ICE between 2022 and February 2025 despite federal detainers, including individuals with criminal histories.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement enforces federal immigration law through its Enforcement and Removal Operations division. The agency focuses on locating and removing noncitizens with criminal records, prioritizing individuals with serious convictions, according to their website. ICE Director Todd M. Lyons said “sanctuary policies” complicate enforcement and allow repeat offenders to avoid removal
