ICE arrests suspected gang member wanted for murder of Mexican police officer

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained an illegal immigrant who is a suspected gang member and wanted in Mexico for the murder of a law enforcement officer. The suspect was staying in the sanctuary city of New Haven, Connecticut.

On June 12, Orlando Diaz-Cebada, who also known as "El Leches" was detained by ICE in New Haven Connecticut. He is allegedly a member of the Los Pochos gang; a group that often works with the Sinaloa Cartel, DHS told Fox News.

"Thanks to our brave ICE law enforcement and federal partners, this criminal illegal alien fugitive wanted for murdering a law enforcement official in Mexico is off America’s streets. This heinous murderer attempted to evade justice by hiding out in Connecticut," Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement about the arrest.

"These are the types of barbaric criminal illegal aliens our brave ICE law enforcement risks their lives every day to arrest. America is no longer a safe haven for violent criminals. If you are a criminal illegal alien considering entering America illegally, don’t even think about it. If you come here and break our laws, we will hunt you down. Criminals are not welcome in the United. States," she added.

Diaz-Cebada was deported after coming into the US in May 2024 and tried to cross the border again two days later, although it is not clear when he entered. He was not "inspected, admitted, or paroled" by immigration authorities at the border.

He is wanted in Mexico's state of Tlaxcala for aggravated homicide. A warrant for his arrest was filed on April 23, 2024, just one month prior to when he attempted to enter the US the first time. New Haven, Connecticut is also considered to be a sanctuary city, a jurisdiction that does not cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

"New Haven is a welcoming city and we’re committed to ensuring all our residents feel safe calling the police, seeking medical care, sending their children to school, and accessing critical public services. It’s not only the right policy, it’s the practical policy," Democrat Mayor Justin Elicker said in April, touting the sanctuary city status as a win against the Trump administration.

"We need to make sure our police department is working to fight crime and not commandeered to do the work of the federal government. We are very pleased with this ruling and that New Haven will be able to use lawfully obligated federal funds to further strengthen public safety in our city," Elicker added at the time.

The New Haven police force stated in response to Diaz-Cebada's arrest, "We fully support the efforts of our federal partners in apprehending this individual, who stands accused of a heinous crime, the killing of a fellow officer. While everyone is entitled to due process, we stand firmly behind actions that protect our communities."