Federal Agents Detain Mexican National Convicted of Murder After Release From California Jail

Customs and Border Protection officers took a Mexican national into custody outside a southern California detention center immediately after he completed a 12-year state prison sentence for second-degree murder. Local law enforcement transferred Valentin Galvez-Quintero, identified as a member of the Sureños-13 gang, to federal agents last week.

The transfer occurred at the John J. Benoit Detention Center. The action took place even as California maintains sanctuary policies that restrict cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration officers. Officials said honoring a federal detainer in the case prevented the individual's release into the community without federal detection.

The Department of Homeland Security has sought increased partnerships with local law enforcement during the current administration. "This is a prime example of the great strides local, state and federal law enforcement can deliver to the American public in terms of safety when common sense cooperation exists," Daniel Parra, acting chief patrol agent at El Centro Sector, said in a statement.

He was apprehended twice in the United States during 2015. In addition to the murder conviction, his criminal record includes felony possession of a gun, taking a vehicle without consent, battery and providing false identification to an officer. The individual will not be deported immediately.

Federal authorities plan to prosecute him for illegal reentry after deportation. If convicted, he will serve any resulting sentence in federal prison before any removal proceedings.

The arrest follows actions in several states, including New York, to limit local participation in federal immigration enforcement. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently urged state lawmakers to ban the 287(g) program, which allows local officers to perform certain immigration functions.

Officials at the Department of Homeland Security criticized the proposal. "Instead of working with us, Governor Hochul is choosing to release violent criminals from her jails directly back into our communities to perpetrate more crimes and create more victims," Lauren Bis, acting assistant secretary for public affairs for the Department of Homeland Security, said.

The Sureños-13 gang operates in and around Southern California and is involved in mid-level drug distribution, according to Department of Justice records. The case illustrates ongoing friction between federal immigration priorities and certain state and local policies that limit information sharing or cooperation with immigration authorities.