The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has criticized California's sanctuary policies after an illegal alien, previously released despite an ICE detainer, was arrested and charged with the fatal stabbing of two women and an infant.
On May 28, 2026, Modesto Police responded to a disturbance, finding 23-year-old Fabiola Gonzalez-Nunez and 54-year-old Maria Sylvia Nunez-Villalobos dead, and an infant, Mateo Gonzalez, who later died at the hospital. Police arrested 28-year-old Joaquin Escoto Vazquez, an illegal alien from Mexico, in connection with the triple homicide.
Vazquez, who faces felony charges of homicide and cruelty toward a child, has a criminal history including four prior arrests for driving under the influence (DUI). Following his most recent DUI arrest in June 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed a detainer with the San Joaquin County Jail, requesting he be transferred to ICE custody. California sanctuary politicians, however, refused to cooperate and released him without notifying ICE.
“This monster’s heinous crime could have been prevented if sanctuary politicians in California simply cooperated with ICE law enforcement,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “Governor Gavin Newsom and his fellow sanctuary politicians must stop putting lives at risk by RELEASING criminals from jails into California communities to create more victims.”
Vazquez, who illegally re-entered the U.S. after being deported by the first Trump Administration in 2018, now has another ICE detainer lodged with the Stanislaus County Jail. DHS noted that California’s failure to honor ICE detainers has led to the release of 4,561 criminal illegal aliens since January 20, with crimes including 31 homicides.