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The Department of Homeland Security criticized Gov. Abigail Spanberger of the Democratic Alliance after an illegal immigrant who has been arrested more than 30 times for allegedly stabbing a mother in the Washington, DC area and is now out of custody.
Abdul Jalloh, 32, was recently arrested for allegedly stabbing to death a 41-year-old woman at a bus stop in Fairfax County, Virginia, in late February. He has been charged with murder, but Spanberger’s office has reportedly indicated that it will not honor a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer. A spokesman for the governor told WJLA that DHS would need to take it a step further and seek a signed court order from a local judge to confirm Jalloh’s deportation.
“It’s a sacred place [Gov. Abigail Spanberger] fighting to protect a Whistleblower over American citizens,” DHS posted to X. “This monster is guilty of stabbing to death Stephanie Minter.”
“ICE does not need warrants to arrest people,” the post continued. “ICE warriors will continue to arrest and remove illegal aliens across the Commonwealth while Governor Spanberger RELEASES them from prisons into Virginia communities to commit more crimes and create more victims.”
The Department of Homeland Security criticized Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger after an illegal immigrant who was charged with murder and had more than 30 previous arrests was released from custody. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Jalloh, an illegal immigrant from Sierra Leone in West Africa, was arrested at a liquor store the day after he allegedly killed Stephanie Minter at a bus stop. A store employee called 911 accusing Jalloh of shoplifting.
DHS says Jalloh entered the country in 2012 and has been arrested more than a dozen times in northern Virginia alone, but has been released back onto the streets almost every time.
DHS also states that his criminal history “includes 30 arrests for rape, aggravated assault, assault, drug possession, identity theft, trespassing, burglary, discharging a weapon, accessory to the delinquency of a minor, and extortion.”
In early February, Spanberger ended cooperation with federal agencies and immigration authorities by executive order.
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Abdul Jalloh, 32, is accused of killing Stephanie Minter, 41, at a bus stop in Virginia. (Fairfax County Police Department; provided)
“I am deeply concerned that law enforcement actions that are accompanied by chaos across the country are eroding the trust of our officers in the communities they serve,” Spanberger said in a statement following the officers’ order. “When state and local law enforcement officers are withdrawn from investigating crimes and elevate our Virginia laws to do the work of federal agents, it weakens their ability to deepen trust in their communities.”
“This contributes to a culture of fear and distrust that makes it difficult for the police to do their job,” added Spanberger.
Spanberger revoked the order, 287(g), issued by former GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin. It allowed local law enforcement officials to perform certain duties of immigration officials under the direction and supervision of ICE, including preventing illegal immigrants from being released back into the community and identifying illegal immigrants already incarcerated in local jails.
“If, for some reason, this monster is released, [Spanberger] won’t notify ICE when he’s released,” said Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., during a Senate hearing on Tuesday. “I would think at a different time and in a different place that we would all really agree that if someone is here illegally, and they’re being released from prison that we’re going to notify federal law enforcement about it.”
Abdul Jalloh, a 32-year-old man from Sierra Leone who DHS says entered the US illegally in 2012, was arrested on suspicion of stabbing to death a 41-year-old woman in Fairfax County and has an extensive criminal record. (Department of Homeland Security/Getty Images)
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Spanberger’s office did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment but told ABC7 on Monday that DHS would need to seek a warrant if Jalloh were to be arrested by ICE.
“As a former federal law enforcement officer who has conducted joint investigations and arrests with state and local officials, Governor Spanberger strongly believes that violent criminals who are in the United States illegally should be deported,” Spanberger’s office said in a statement sent to WJLA. “DHS should request a signed court order to ensure that this violent criminal is deported.”
Preston Mizell is a reporter for Fox News. News tips can be sent to Preston.Mizell@fox.com and X @MizellPreston
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