In an operation dubbed Midway Blitz, a gang member with a past marred by violence and murder was captured by ICE officers on September 15. Acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons, in a statement obtained by ICE's official news release, confirmed that Aldo Salazar Bahena, a member of the Larazo gang and convicted murderer, was released from Stateville Correctional Center on September 12, only to be re-arrested three days later due to the efforts of ICE officials.
Salazar, at the age of 37, was responsible for the brutal beating death of 21-year-old Fernando Diaz Jr. on Sept. 3, 2005, and was sentenced after a 2007 conviction to 20 years behind bars. Before being released into an unsuspecting public near Chicago due to Illinois' controversial sanctuary policies, he served out his sentence in a maximum facility designed to house individuals of his caliber. Salazar entered the United States as a lawful permanent resident in 1998, but an immigration judge stripped that status in 2016, when he received a final order of removal.
The ICE detainer, which was supposed to ensure Salazar's transfer from prison to ICE custody, was not honored by state officials, prompting his release and subsequent three-day period of freedom. These events followed after ICE Chicago had previously lodged an immigration detainer with the Stateville Correctional Center, anticipating Salazar's release. Lyons highlighted the dangerous consequences of sanctuary policies, stating, "Sanctuary policies, by design, protect criminals- and in this case, a murderer- over the safety of American communities."
Salazar's capture occurred in Elgin, IL, where ICE officials finally detained him, ensuring his continuous custody until preparations for his removal from the United States are finalized. Released under the state's sanctuary policies, Salazar was approximately 30 miles southwest of Chicago when the prison set him free, a decision that sparked immediate and critical response from ICE officials. "Luckily, ICE was there to effectuate his lawful arrest and removal from the streets," remarked Lyons.
Focused on the safety and integrity of local communities, ICE's public safety mission is ongoing; more information can be found through their official communication channels. The agency maintains a presence on social media and regularly updates the public on their operations and success stories in the realm of immigration enforcement.
